The title CUBA FELIZ is taken from a song by Armandito Machado, one of 22 in the film, nearly all of which are sung by Miguel Del Morales, better known as El Gallo ("the rooster"). Originally, director Karim Dridi planned to use Del Morales only for two or three days of shooting in Cienfuegos and Trinidad. However, the 76-year-old vagabond-troubadour proved to be such an asset - he knows scores of Cuban songs and sings them with a lilt in his voice that speaks of joy and suffering - that Dridi and his screenwriter Pascal Letellier, a noted authority on Cuban music, decided to take him with them on this "road movie musical" across the length and breadth of Cuba.

Karim Dridi (France, 1999, 96 minutes)

Director: Karim Dridi
Screenplay: Pascal Letellier and Karim Dridi
Cast and Music: Miguel del Morales (El Gallo), Pepin Vaillant, Mirta Gonzales, Anibal Avila, Alberto Pablo
Cinematography: Karim Dridi
Producers: Jacques Debs, Alain Rozanès, Pascal Verroust
Production: ADR Productions
Length: 96 minutes
Year 1999 France


Selected for the Director's Fortnight at Cannes in 2000.

DVD available (Editions Montparnasse, France)