Documentary Production and Distribution News

Celebrating Life in Union, a Documentary Narrated by Andy Garcia and Featuring Stories of Cuba's Former Political Prisoners, to Make Miami Premiere at Doc Miami Film Fest

By StudentFilmmakers.com
posted Dec 20, 2012, 15:22

(Miami, FL) The Miami premiere of documentary, Celebrating Life in Union, took place this month at the DocMiami Film Festival.

Celebrating Life In Union captures the tragedy and brotherhood of a group of former political prisoners from the Cuban Revolution, who fought for, and were subsequently betrayed by, their leader Fidel Castro. Director and human rights activist Gladys Bensimon, known for her award-winning documentary Crossing our Borders, learned that a group of these former prisoners, now in their 70's, was living and gathering weekly in Union City, New Jersey. She and co-producer Drew Oberholtzer began attending their meetings as their curiosity grew about what really happened to the people of Cuba during the Revolution. Actor Andy Garcia, a Cuban-American himself, joined the project and together they are sharing the touching stories of these men through film.

Having world premiered at the New York City International Film Festival, Celebrating Life In Union is currently a final nominee for “Most Inspirational Documentary" at the 2012 DocMiami Film Festival. With nearly half of all Miami residents being of Cuban descent, Celebrating Life in Union is expected to have a remarkable turnout and will be one of DocMiami's most in-demand tickets. For Bensimon debuting the film in a city so steeped in Cuban heritage is an emotional experience. “For me, presenting the film to the Cuban community is very important. They are the largest Diaspora of what I call the 'Cuban Holocaust'," said Bensimon.

"They have seen their hopes for a free and democratic Cuba stolen from them, while the world continues to be indifferent, blind, and mute. It is my duty as a documentary filmmaker and an activist for freedom and democracy, to inform the world about the tragedies these men endured and to present them as a symbol of the past and present Cuban struggle. I am very thankful to DocMiami for giving me this opportunity to showcase Celebrating Life in Union."

Resources:

http://www.celebratinglifeinunion.com