Dream Havana: A Documentary by Gary Marks

Last January, while recovering from surgery on my Achilles tendon, I was watching the Chicago public TV station, WTTW. I was not even aware of it beforehand, but they were airing a single-time viewing of a documentary about a couple of Cuban writers. It caught me by surprise. I did not even record it. I was transformed by the film, so much so, that I started to search for other air times, without luck. I did manage to get on the web site www.dreamhavanamovie.com set up by Gary Marks, the creator of the film. I got on his mailing list, and then went on with my life.
Recently, I received an email from Mr. Marks informing me that a novel written by one of the men in the film was available for purchase here in the US. I promptly ordered the book and began to think about the film and how I wished to see it again. I decided to write Mr. Marks an email to ask if he could sell a copy. He responded that he would and thus began a chain of events that hopefully will continue beyond today.
The film is about two young men growing up in Havana with an intense desire to write. It traces their friendship through several years of struggle to find ways to express their thoughts and feelings in a repressive environment. Writing freely is something we take for granted here in the US. But in Cuba, freedom is a rare and expensive commodity. For one of the young men, living under such conditions eventually becomes unbearable, and there comes a point of separation. He decides to risk an escape by sea, and leaves his family and friends behind. He makes it safely to the US and starts a new life. But never forgets his friend he left behind.
I met the creator of the film, Gary Marks, today. Over lunch, we discussed his film, his life in Cuba, and the concerns we share of making a living as a creative person. He is a talented and creative man with a real heart for the Cuban people and their daily challenges. He made this film at great personal expense and sacrifice, and for the purest of motives: to tell one facet of the greater story of the human condition. This film is not only about Cuba and its people, but about all men and women and what touches us all and makes us truly human. I highly recommend it.





