Who Was Fidel Castro? We Got Access To Film Cuba In 1990.

When I was growing up in the 1950s Fidel Castro was seen by many as a hero. By the time I became a professional filmmaker and began to talk with Cubans who had moved to Miami I heard from those who saw him as an evil dictator. In 1990 my team got a job from Turner Broadcasting, from Ted Turner himself, to make a Portrait of Cuba TV special. We didn’t know why he wanted us to make this but it gave us the chance to visit a place few had visited. We were mostly welcomed by the Cuban people we met. Although we we’re told that we had free reign there were many places we were not taken and many scenes that were unavailable to film. But we left Cuba with more than 250 reels of 16mm film and audio and made a 2 hour special . This is a portion from that special. There are some scenes shown that had never been recorded before. Fidel Castro left a complex and varied legacy. Despite the controversies including his human rights record and economic policies, there were several aspects of his tenure that appealed to a considerable section of the Cuban population. Castro’s regime significantly expanded access to education. Literacy rates soared, with UNESCO recognizing Cuba as having eliminated illiteracy. Higher education was made free creating a highly educated population. Universal healthcare was one of Castro’s most celebrated achievements. Cuba has one of the highest doctor-patient ratios in the world with a strong focus on preventive care. Castro instilled a strong sense of Cuban nationalism and pride. He resisted external influences which resonated with many Cubans. His resistance to US influence was seen as a symbol of national sovereignty. Castro’s regime aimed to eliminate economic inequality, redistributing wealth and property. While these policies had mixed results, they were initially popular among poorer segments of the population. Castro’s government heavily invested in sports and culture leading to international successes in areas like baseball and boxing, as well as music and dance. Despite economic challenges and periods of hardship, Castro’s regime provided a certain level of stability and safety. Crime rates were generally low, especially compared to many other Latin American countries. Castro’s ability to maintain power and resist numerous assassination attempts and sanctions imposed by the United States was seen as a sign of strength and resilience by many Cubans. But Fidel Castro was a polarizing figure and his actions and policies elicited strong negative reactions from a significant number of Cubans both within Cuba and among the diaspora. The Castro regime was a one-party rule with suppression of political dissent and limited political freedoms. This led to many people being imprisoned, persecuted or forced into exile for their political beliefs. His government was frequently accused of numerous human rights abuses, including arbitrary imprisonment, unfair trials and extrajudicial executions. While Castro implemented policies aimed at promoting economic equality, many of these initiatives led to economic hardships, scarcity of goods, and a lack of economic opportunities, especially after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Castro’s policy of nationalizing industries and properties led many Cubans, particularly those of the middle and upper classes, to lose their businesses and homes. This resulted in a significant exodus of people from Cuba to places like the United States. Under Castro’s rule freedom of expression and the press were severely restricted. The media was controlled by the state, and criticism of the government was not tolerated. Castro’s communist regime was built on principles that were antithetical to liberal democracy and free-market capitalism. For those who valued these concepts, Castro’s Cuba was deeply oppressive. Castro’s antagonistic relationship with the United States and other Western nations led to a long-standing U.S. embargo and other international sanctions. The government often forced or coerced people to work in certain sectors or jobs, such as in agriculture or the “voluntary“ work brigades. Castro’s policies made it difficult for Cubans to leave the country, effectively trapping those who wanted to emigrate. Today visiting Cuba as a tourist is a unique experience due to its rich history, culture and natural beauty. Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is full of beautifully preserved colonial architecture, classic American cars and lively music. Cuba’s natural beauty is breathtaking, from the white sand beaches of Varadero to the lush Viñales Valley and the biodiversity of Sierra Maestra National Park. Cubans are known for their friendliness. The culture is vibrant with music and dance being integral parts of everyday life. Cuba is generally considered safe for tourists, with low levels of violent crime.