Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases

Sons of Cuba (2009)

Director: Andrew Lang

Time Out rating

Average user rating

1 review

Movie review

From Time Out London

As the intro to this excellent documentary asserts, one small Caribbean island continues to dominate Olympic boxing. ‘Sons of Cuba’ explores the roots of that success, following a year at the Havana City Boxing Academy and a gang of pre-pubescent pugilists training for the under-11s national championships. Director Andrew Lang narrows his focus to three kids – one a poet, one a performer and one a hardened, thoroughbred blood-and-bone boxing superstar in the making. The sense of kinship between the kids and their caring, ambitious coach is deeply moving, as is the boys’ absolute commitment to their nation and its Commandante, Fidel Castro. But is their grim, ascetic existence really the only way to turn these boys into champions, or is this just a subtle form of state-sanctioned child abuse? Lang, wisely, refuses to judge, preferring to let this beautifully structured story of sacrifice, companionship, grief and glory speak for itself.

Author: Tom Huddleston

Time Out London Issue 2065: 18-24 March, 2010

Email Tweet Share

User reviews of this film

David Roberts said...

Posted on Mar 25 2010 19:40 Pulls No Punches!

'Sons of Cuba' is surprisingly director Andrew Lang's début. Surprising because it maturely explores the shaky Cuban regime through the eyes of three young Cuban boxers without romanticising their lives or Cuba. Lang apparently gained unprecedented access to the Havana boxing club by working with a Cuban film crew. This shows through in the conflicting emotions of the boys caught on film. The tears after they are pushed harder in training, the joy of winning fights, the care free playing in their dorms and the seriousness with which they watch the televised announcement of Castro's ill health all highlight the conflict in these boy's lives in and out of the ring. This empathetic yet unflinching portrayal, set within a historically critical setting, also benefits from superbly paced editing and a great sound track. Everything a great documentary should be!

Report as inappropriate