Watch Cuba: An African Odyssey

"Cuba: An African Odyssey" is a 2007 documentary film that explores the relationship between Cuba and the African continent. The film is directed by Jihan El-Tahri and produced by Kawsan Makosso. The movie depicts the bonds that Cuba has had with Africa since the revolution in 1959. It narrates the history of how Cuba provided military and medical assistance to the newly independent African countries, who were struggling for their liberation from colonialism. The film delves into the impact of the Cuban assistance in Africa and the role of Cuban soldiers who fought alongside their African counterparts.

The film's narrative is divided into eight different countries - Guinea Bissau, Algeria, Egypt, Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Congo, and South Africa. Each country's story is a chapter in the film, and it showcases the unique conditions in which Cuba intervened in Africa.

The first chapter of the film traces the story of Cuba's involvement in Guinea Bissau. The narrators explore how Cuba provided military support against Portuguese colonialists and helped establish the first African-led Marxist government. The film introduces the viewer to Amilcar Cabral, the leader of Guinea Bissau's liberation who has been a significant influence on Cuba's revolutionaries.

The film then moves on to Algerian history and examines how Cuba helped Algeria in their fight for freedom from the French. The movie touches upon President Nasser's meeting with Che Guevara and how it led to a new relationship between Egypt and Cuba.

The heart of the film is the struggle against apartheid, where Cuba played a pivotal role in the liberation of South Africa. The film explores the alliance between the African National Congress and the Cuban government and how it led to the defeat of the South African Defence Force in Angola. The movie showcases the significant impact that Cuba's intervention had on the anti-apartheid movement.

Another essential chapter of the film examines how Cuba assisted Namibia's liberation from South Africa. The movie portrays how Cuba's medical aid kept the freedom fighters alive and provided much-needed care to the Namibian people.

The documentary also examines the relationship between Cuba and Mozambique, the role of the Cuban soldiers, and President Castro's visit to Mozambique.

The film's narration vividly portrays the Cuban fighters who sacrificed their lives in Congo, and it highlights the complexities of Congo's political landscape.

The movie ends with the story of Nelson Mandela's visit to Cuba in 1991, where he expressed his deep gratitude to Cuba's assistance during apartheid's circumstances. Mandela remarks," What other country can point to a record of greater selflessness than Cuba."

The movie is well researched, and the documentary contains interviews with the people who lived through the historical events, including Amilcar Cabral's wife, Guinea Bissau's Prime Minister Aristides Gomes, and Generals from Angola's Angolan People's Armed Forces. The film blends archival footage with present-day interviews and makes it an extremely informative but a moving document of history.

The documentary's central idea is to showcase Cuba's selflessness and the moral obligation that socialism inspires in Cuba. Despite Cuba's small size, they extended their hand to assist African countries in their fight for independence against colonial powers. The film's informative narrative and excellent documentation of history give the viewer a glimpse into Cuba's role in the anti-colonial movement in Africa.

In conclusion, "Cuba: An African Odyssey" is a well-crafted documentary that portrays the relationship between Cuba and Africa. The film highlights Cuba's socialist ideology and its impact on the African continent. The movie showcases how Cuba provided military aid and medical assistance to African countries fighting for independence. It is an informative piece of cinematic work that delves into the history of Cuba and Africa's relationship, and it is essential viewing for anyone interested in the African liberation movement.