Cuba and the Cameraman Student Guide

Directed by Jon Alpert

1. The large demonstration of people in the first few moments of the film – what are
they doing and who are they commemorating?

2. Who is Jon Alpert and what is his profession?

3. Where did he start this profession and what caused him to begin doing this?

4. Name a few topics that David filmed before going to Cuba.

5. What was happening in Cuba at the time that David began filming in the U.S.?

6. What kind of “social programs” was Fidel implementing in Cuba?

7. President John F Kennedy spoke to a crowd of people saying that Cuba had become
a “police state” and would one day be free again. What actions did the U.S. take
against Cuba?

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1975
8. Name the 3 Borego brothers, the first people Jon meets in Cuba

9. What type of work do the Borego brothers do? What products do they have?

10. Why does Cristobal say he is clearing the rocks? Is this paid or unpaid work?

11. After visiting the school, Jon observes that what kind of buildings are being built?

12. What other social service is completely free for the people? How is it being paid for?
 13. It is 1975 and the Revolutions seems to be ________________. The stores are all
________________ up.

14. Due to Fidel Castro’s curiosity in the baby carriage and film equipment, Jon was able
to engage in what kind of meeting with Fidel?

15. Do the brothers seem content with their job, their house, and their style of living?

16. Is there anything missing for them that they would like to have for a higher quality of
life?

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1979

17. Why does Fidel travel to New York? How to Americans feel about his visit?

18. How does Fidel feel toward death?

19. Who boards Fidel’s plane before they are able to deplane?

20. How does Fidel feel about the people planning on demonstrating against him and his
beliefs?

21. What was the general idea of his speech at the U.N. regarding?

22. The successful trip to New York signals the possibility of ______________ relations
with the United States. After the baseball game in Cuba, Fidel makes it easier for
Cuban ____________ to return to visit their families.

23. The dollars and gifts coming in with visiting relatives from the U.S. fuels a desire for
_____________ __________ that the Revolution cannot accommodate

24. Why are people protesting in the street? What is the “trouble in the streets?”
 25. Why is the man in the street that Jon Alpert interviews, afraid to give his opinion of
the issue of people leaving Cuba?

26. What is the Mariel Boatlift? Who are the type of people on board the boats?

___________________________________________________________________________

27. What is the secret to Cristobal’s happiness?

28. What is the name of the woman that Jon visits that he recorded as a little girl that
wanted to be a nurse?

29. Instead of becoming a nurse, what happened in her life?

30. Things seem to be okay at this point economically in Cuba but 3,000 miles away what
is happening with the Soviet Union?

1992

31. Why is it taking so long for the builders to complete their project?

32. What does Jon notice about the San Lazaro Market that is different from when he
filmed in 1975?

33. What are the rations of food available at the market?

34. What items are missing?

35. Because of the collapse of the Soviet Union, what good is missing that is making
transportation more difficult/expensive?

36. Who does Jon meet at the gas station? Where does he take him?
 37. What is the issue with the lights? How often does this happen?

38. What is happening to Cristobal’s animals?

39. What kinds of products have been taken from the farm?

40. Why are there no people in the streets?

41. What type of food do they have available for the students at the school?

42. What is the scarcity in the hospital? What are the sanitary conditions/hygiene like?

___________________________________________________________________________
1995
43. What has happened to Luis? Where is he now? How long will he be there?

44. What does Luis’ brother want the people of the U.S. to know?

45. How does Luis’ brother feel about Fidel’s 35 years of rule so far?

46. What has happened to the animals of Cristobal, Angel, Gregorio?

47. What is the situation like now at their farm?

48. What is Fidel’s plan to make Cuba prosperous again?

____________________________________________________________________________
2000
49. What were the artisan stall owners’ jobs before selling in the market?
 50. We now know why Luis was arrested. What was the reason?

51. What happened to the bakery and Luis’ apartment building?

52. They cannot access the bathrooms, where do they go instead?

53. Where does Luis’ friend work? What does he do with the product?

54. How do 80% of the people in Luis’ neighborhood make a living?

55. What has happened to Caridad’s family? Who is left?

56. Caridad’s son needs a ___________ to go to the U.S.

57. What is the state of the food and water in Caridad’s family’s house?

58. What does the back yard look like? What is there?

59. What is the new addition to the brother’s farm? How long did they have to work to
buy them?

60. What happened to Cristobal? What tool does he need?

61. How much is the doctor’s salary per month?

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2006
62. What is new in Luis’ community?

63. What is Luis’ new job?

64. What has happened to all 3 Boregos brothers?

 2016
65. What is Luis’ business?

66. What changes have happened in Luis’ house?

67. What happened on November 25, 2016?