Viva Cuba

Viva Cuba unfolds on the Cuban island, following two children from starkly different worlds. It contrasts Malú’s tidy, middle‑class world with Jorgito’s rougher, socialist household to reflect Cuban life. The journey threads through neighborhoods, a seaside festival, and a lighthouse by the sea, offering a lens on daily life, longing, and the country’s future.

🤝 Friendship

Two children from different social worlds form a steadfast friendship that is tested by risk, authority, and divergent backgrounds. Their bond helps them cope with grief and the looming possibility of separation. Through quarrels and reconciliations, they learn that loyalty and mutual support can endure under pressure.

🧭 Migration

The pair plan a daring journey to influence Malú’s father’s decisions, and their attempt to leave Cuba becomes a metaphor for seeking agency over their lives. The voyage requires trust, deception, and teamwork as they evade authorities and confront the uncertain future beyond their homeland. The lighthouse and signed forms symbolize the thin line between hope and consequence.

🎭 Class & Identity

The film juxtaposes Malú’s middle-class world with Jorgito’s poorer socialist environment to examine how class shapes opportunities and perceptions. Moments of social tension surface in family dynamics, on stage, and in everyday exchanges, revealing how background influences choices. The kids’ perspective invites reflection on whether a shared future can bridge these divides.

🌊 Loss & Resilience

Grief from the grandmother’s death and the looming possibility of a mother’s departure frame the children’s journey. The narrative emphasizes resilience—finding strength in friendship and in small, shared acts of courage. The ending’s wave and cliffside finale invites contemplation on what remains after separation.