After reading some of the reviews for "Bitter Sugar" (Azúcar Amarga), I was taken aback by how some reviewers stated that it was not a good film because of how it depicted the way Cubans live in Cuba today. Yes, the film is from 1996, and we are currently in 2020, but the film still projects what many Cubans still feel about their life in Cuba. (I can't begin to tell you how much this film resonated with me when I first saw it in a theater in 1996 in Beverly Hills, California.)
You can only know about this subject matter if you have actually lived in Cuba. I don't think reading about or seeing a documentary about Cuba will instill a correct perspective in an individual who is not from Cuba. By having lived there, you saw how things changed for the worse, how life became a struggle for everyday existence and how many decided to leave and go to another country where they could continue their way of life like they had before the revolution of 1959. Those that stayed behind in Cuba, either could not find the means to leave or had hope that the revolution would make things better. Those that left, especially for the USA, had to deal with abandoning their country and beginning a new life in a foreign country with a vastly different language and culture. It was not easy to reestablish yourself with no money and little connections, except for the few family members that had already arrived in previous years. Adjusting to the American life was not easy, but after 50 years (I left in August of 1969) of living in America, I have truly embraced an American life without letting go of my Cuban culture and ties to Cuba.
And here we are in 2020, and guess what, life in Cuba is the same as depicted in 1996 in "Bitter Sugar" (Azúcar Amarga). It is sad to know that Cuba was once one of the most advanced Latin American countries in Latin America (the Cuban dollar was a few cents more valuable than the dollar!), and now it is one of the poorest countries due to the revolution, which basically destroyed all the good that had been developed and created in Cuba. I always say that if you defend the communist regime that Cuba (the only communist country in the western hemisphere) has had for over 51 years, then you truly should live in Cuba so you can reap the glory of its communist regime.
Finally, in closing, if you are going to state that "Bitter Sugar" (Azúcar Amarga) does not represent life in Cuba, whether it is depicted in 1996 or today, make sure you know what you are taking about, because empty comments insults people like me that are from Cuba and lived in the land you know so little about.
You can only know about this subject matter if you have actually lived in Cuba. I don't think reading about or seeing a documentary about Cuba will instill a correct perspective in an individual who is not from Cuba. By having lived there, you saw how things changed for the worse, how life became a struggle for everyday existence and how many decided to leave and go to another country where they could continue their way of life like they had before the revolution of 1959. Those that stayed behind in Cuba, either could not find the means to leave or had hope that the revolution would make things better. Those that left, especially for the USA, had to deal with abandoning their country and beginning a new life in a foreign country with a vastly different language and culture. It was not easy to reestablish yourself with no money and little connections, except for the few family members that had already arrived in previous years. Adjusting to the American life was not easy, but after 50 years (I left in August of 1969) of living in America, I have truly embraced an American life without letting go of my Cuban culture and ties to Cuba.
And here we are in 2020, and guess what, life in Cuba is the same as depicted in 1996 in "Bitter Sugar" (Azúcar Amarga). It is sad to know that Cuba was once one of the most advanced Latin American countries in Latin America (the Cuban dollar was a few cents more valuable than the dollar!), and now it is one of the poorest countries due to the revolution, which basically destroyed all the good that had been developed and created in Cuba. I always say that if you defend the communist regime that Cuba (the only communist country in the western hemisphere) has had for over 51 years, then you truly should live in Cuba so you can reap the glory of its communist regime.
Finally, in closing, if you are going to state that "Bitter Sugar" (Azúcar Amarga) does not represent life in Cuba, whether it is depicted in 1996 or today, make sure you know what you are taking about, because empty comments insults people like me that are from Cuba and lived in the land you know so little about.