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02/04/13 - New Jersey Herald - Documentary puts US embargo on Cuba in the spotlight

By LAUREN SCRUDATO

[1]newsroom@njherald.com

NEWTON - Joe Guerriero tells the story of a journalist who could not
acquire batteries to recharge her electric wheelchair while in Cuba because
of the United States' embargo against the country, which has been in place
since 1960. The woman, a journalist/psychotherapist, had to resort to
getting pushed by her husband or wheel herself to get around.

This small act of inconvenience is among the many others Guerriero
encountered while filming his first feature documentary regarding the
embargo, entitled "Curtain of Water." The premier of the movie is Thursday
at Sussex County Community College.

The nation's ongoing embargo against Cuba 53 years after the Cuban
revolution inspired Guerriero, an adjunct professor at SCCC, to produce a
documentary addressing the opposing views on the topic.

Guerriero, who also directed the film, has made 11 trips to Cuba over the
last 14 years and has witnessed the impact of the embargo firsthand.

According to Guerriero, "Curtain of Water," or "Telõn de Aqua," is timely
because the public consciousness about the topic is rising. Last week,
Cuban President Raul Castro assumed the presidency of the Community of
Latin American and Caribbean States in a demonstration of regional unity
against U.S. efforts to isolate the communist government through the
50-year-old economic embargo, according to the Associated Press.
Newly-sworn-in Secretary of State John Kerry has shown some openness to
relaxing the tough U.S. stance on Cuba and Defense Secretary hopeful Chuck
Hagel has called the U.S. embargo against the communist-run island
"nonsensical" and anachronistic, the Associated Press also reported.

The United States sanctioned the embargo, the prohibition of trade and
business, against Cuba in 1960.

"I was surprised by how many of my students didn't even know what the
embargo is," Guerriero said.

Guerriero, an adjunct professor at SCCC for the last seven years and a
photographer for three decades, became interested in Cuban culture in 1999

during a photography workshop that focused on telling stories through
photographs and documentaries. Through the workshop, Guerriero worked on a
project regarding Chinatown Havana.

David Alan Harvey, a photographer for National Geographic, initiated the
first permitted educational photography workshop in Cuba in 1999, which
Guerriero attended. The trip led to 11 more solo visits with a production
license in hand to Cuba from 1999 until 2013 and included other various
small projects. One dealt with the Santeria religion, which resulted in a
book entitled "Babalawo: Father of Mysteries."

Guerriero's trips to Cuba allowed him to witness the impact of the embargo
firsthand.

Over the course of two and a half years Guerriero interviewed 21
individuals from both Cuba and the United States, 15 of whom are featured
in the film.

When Guerriero first developed the idea for his film, he wanted it to
demonstrate an activist's point of view (he opposes the embargo), but upon
further thought, he decided to keep the film balanced and investigate both
sides.

"I want people to watch it and decide for themselves," Guerriero said.

Guerriero focused on getting the perspective of local residents such as
farmers, jewelers and carpenters who are both pro and anti-embargo.
Another pro embargo source was Bicence Echerry, a well-known Cuban writer.
He also spoke with officials and organizations in the U.S. such as Sandra
Levinson, the director at the Center for Cuban Studies as well as members
of Pastors for Peace.

According to Guerriero, Pastors for Peace is a group of volunteers who
collect donations around the country and have sent medical and educational
supplies to Cuba every year since 1992. Their cause is illegal because they
break the embargo terms, he said.

Editing the film was a challenge for him. He found it difficult to maintain
his focus because he had a wealth of multimedia that told stimulating
stories of the daily lives of average Cubans.

Guerriero's wife, Diana, who is a teacher in Newton, aided Guerriero in his
project by being the "fuel in my engine," according to Guerriero. He
described times when he wanted to call it quits but she pulled him back and
made sure he continued to pursue his goal. Guerriero also credits his
brother-in-law for focusing his vision as well as editor Drew Oberholtzer,
who has worked for National Geographic and HBO, for polishing the rough
cut.

Guerriero said the main obstacles while producing his film were caused by
the laws regarding the embargo. During one of his trips to Cuba, his camera
was stolen right off the back of his chair in a cafe and he had no way to
legally purchase another one because of embargo restrictions.

He also had trouble getting Cuban locals to speak with him about anything
related to politics.

Guerriero funded the documentary through a Kickstarter campaign where he
raised $9,000 that all went toward production costs and post-film editing.
He said he does not anticipate making any money off his documentary, but,
if he did, he would make a donation to the Center for Cuban Studies in New
York City.

Guerriero's students at SCCC will be attending the premiere on Thursday
and, he said, they are now very interested in the topic. The premiere is
open to the public.

"They (Cubans) have become stronger because of the embargo and have learned
to deal with it," Guerriero said. "But they wish it would go away."

Guerriero will be traveling back to Cuba this May to conduct a 10-day
general photography workshop. Information about the trip can be found at
joeg.com.

If you want to go

First screenings of "Curtain of Water," or "Telõn de Aqua," are at 11 a.m.
and 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, at Sussex County Community College's
Performing Arts Center. It also will include a photo exhibit of Joe
Guerriero's work during his trips to Cuba.

Feb. 17: Film-release party at Anthology Film Archives in Manhattan.

Information about the 10-day workshop in May can be found at joeg.com.

Information about the film can be found at www.curtainofwater.com.

References

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Original Source / Fuente Original:
http://www.njherald.com/story/20953065/2013/02/03/documentary-puts-us-embargo-on-cuba-in-the-spotlight