Cave Nabatian’s “Sin La Havana” is a contrasting study of the sticky, exuberant heat of the Cuban capital and the crushing winters of Montreal. Spontaneous street performances and formal auditions for ballet studios. Planned marriage and impulsive love.
An African-Cuban dancer named Leonardo (Jonah Acosta) wants to secure a trip to Canada for himself and his girlfriend (Evelyn Castroda O’Farrill), and he hires an Iranian-Canadian tourist, Nasim (Aki Yagoobi). ) into a sham marriage. ) — This is a familiar immigration story with predictably disastrous consequences. After moving in with his new wife Nasim, Leonardo finds adjusting to life in the North not only difficult, but also less liberating than promised. He faces the same racism as the dance studios and workshops that prompted him to leave Cuba. in the first place.
Nasim suspects that the relationship was fraudulent from the start, but tries to build a relationship and protect Leonardo from his closed Iranian family and ex-husband. And in Leonardo’s absence, Leonardo’s girlfriend Sarah sacrifices their futures in order to advance her legal career.
Nabatian is sympathetic to all three characters, acknowledging their lack of easy options and the intricacies of Afro-Cuban dance, the floor tiles of a Havana apartment, and the teacups of Nasim’s family gatherings. and so on, drawing attention to his eye for small cultural details and rituals. — force how identity continues to shape their lives, even when they are far from home. The fate of their relationship remains ambiguous, but these fleeting moments linger long after Leonardo dances his final dance in front of the cameras.
Sin La Havana
Unrated. Spanish, English, Persian, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 34 minutes. Available for rent or purchase on most major platforms.
