Watching the movie today in class really opened my eyes to life in Havana, Cuba. I couldn't believe how the previously beautiful, lively, and incredible city of Havana could turn into a ghost-town after Fidel Castro came into power. Seeing the ruins of once beautiful and popular streets and shopping and dining areas really made me realize how much negativity communism has brought to Cuba. It's as if it were a different city now. What startled me was when he mentioned that the beer he was drinking would've taken a doctor two weeks of his salary to pay for. People could barely survive over there, there is no future for anybody, and even being a professional and educated person was worthless. "We Are Happy" was written on walls and places around the city to make the citizens believe that they truly are happy, even though they are far from it. I find it ridiculous that Castro would write this on walls, as if to brainwash his citizens into believing that they are living happily. Also the "Socialist or Death" billboards and graffiti again showed the government's involvement in every aspect of it's citizens lives.
It was sad to see how beautiful Havana once was. It was also sad to see undercover restaurants trying to survive while trying to remain hidden from the police. I couldn't imagine living in a society where even people for owning restaurants or shopping stores were punished. The movie was a great way for me to get a taste of real life in Havana under communist rule.
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