Fidel Castro: A Life of Revolution

Details

Abstract / Summary

After ruling Cuba for close to 50 years, Fidel Castro stepped down. From his childhood in rural Cuba, through his fight in the Sierra Maestra, to winning the revolution and transforming the country, Fidel: A Life of Revolution presents a unique account of his life and times by Castro himself, taken largely from private letters, correspondence, speeches, and interviews. Featured interviews include some of Castro's closest relatives, friends, and confidants, some of whom now count themselves among his enemies. Carlos Franqui, an ally in the fight to free Cuba, reflects on how the country's liberator became its longest-standing dictator.Castro's many political battles are discussed in detail by players in the confrontations: former US diplomat Wayne Smith recalls the consequences of Castro's victory at the Bay of Pigs, Sergei Krushchev speaks of his family's strategy and memories of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and former President Jimmy Carter discusses the longtime US embargo against Cuba. Analysts include New Yorker author and Che Guevara biographer, Jon Lee Anderson.The documentary concludes with a debate about Castro's legacy as world opinion now seems divided between those who blame him for executing hundreds, imprisoning thousands, and driving thousands into exile, and those who credit him with the most influential revolution of the modern era.

Copyright Message

KULTUR International Films

Content Type

Documentary

Duration

45 mins

Warning: Contains explicit content

No

Format

DVD

Producer - Institution

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Publisher

Filmakers Library

Release Date

2010-03

Subject

World History