2015 Directed by Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt
Follows several of Cuba's top drag racers as they struggle to prepare their classic American cars for the first official car race since the Cuban Revolution. It tells a personal, character-driven story that tackles how Cuba's recent reforms have affected the lives of these racers and their vibrant community.
A greatly compelling documentary on the fledging official motor racing scene in Cuba and its underground roots. Totally authentic, told without artifice or strong judgement, it lets the people it is documenting speak for themselves and skillfully weaves a compelling tale of the socio-political climate of Cuba, the passion of the racers, and a country at an inflection point in its history.
Really interesting documentary because it takes the viewer deep into the real Cuba. That alone makes the film stand out. But, it’s well made on a shoestring budget as well. Love the subject matter too: car racing as a cultural revolution in a post-revolutionary Cuba.
Recommended viewing to be sure!!!
I'm not a car person, but I am a Cuban person and it is a beautiful thing to see my people trying to do so much with the little they have.
I am neither a car guy nor a gear head so much of Havana Motor Club wasn't really my thing although I still found myself enjoying the human element at the center of the film as it played out.
Cuba is known for many things and it is most unfortunate that some of those things are no longer positive (Castro, communism, Gitmo). Havana Motor Club highlights one of the more positive things Havana is still now known for -- its classic cars. Because of a long-standing trade embargo the West decided to place upon Cuba (which was in effect for the better part of 50 years), the automobiles in Cuba tend to be the older American models that were once…
Viewed as a preview to 2015 Dallas VideoFest.
No "gearhead" intelligence is needed as Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt's documentary lays out the dynamics of Cuban drag racing's quest for legitimacy well. Following two sets of car builders and the tireless efforts of car lovers around Cuba to establish a racing order that matters, "Havana Motor Club" is a solid documentary that both explains and fawns over its subjects and their metallic creations. Quickly framing the back story of why car racing became banned in Cuba in the late 50's- and highly ironic that a country dependent on revolution would ultimately delete a certain freedom it fought to supposedly champion- the film forwards to modern day Havana and the car nuts who tinker, toy and modify every inch of their vehicles to satisfy their need for speed. It lags a bit in the middle, but it ultimately becomes a fascinating and entertaining examination of male bravado and showmanship.
