Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt takes to the roadways of Havana for a
fascinating glimpse at the resilience, ingenuity, and passion of the
competitive spirit. Auto racing was a Cuban tradition for decades,
typified by the Cuban Grand Prix of the late '50s. Fidel Castro declared
the practice elitist and outlawed racing indefinitely, yet an
underground automotive pulse still beats on the island. Gearheads across
Cuba scrap, scrape together, or just fabricate parts to get max speed
out of their American muscle cars. Meanwhile, enthusiasts and organizers
look for ways to legitimize the sport and bring the excitement of Cuban
racing back to the people.
Punctuated by a
lively Cuban soundtrack, HAVANA MOTOR CLUB captures a nation at a
crossroads. Changing international relationships and economic reforms
have offered unprecedented opportunity to Cubans, but left the children
of the Revolution unsure of the best route forward. For the half-dozen
racers at the heart of Perlmutt’s film, this means last-minute
adjustments or wholesale changes to their beloved cars, as they prepare
for the first sanctioned drag race in Cuba since 1960.