See: http://www.ratb.org.uk/our-documentary Full-length documentary produced by RATB in 2010 explaining the role of socialist Cuba in the world and the modern challenges it faces in its development amidst world capitalist crisis. PRESS: "An insightful and provocative study of major changes taking place in Cuba today. The Cuban economist interviewed explains things extremely well. Necessary viewing for all seeking to understand contemporary Cuba." John Kirk - professor of Latin American Studies at Dalhousie University, Canada. He has published several books about Cuban international relations, history and culture. His most recent publication, co-authored with Professor Michael Erisman, 'Cuba's Medical Internationalism: Origins, Evolution and Goals', was published in 2009 by Palgrave Macmillan. "A great little film with a lot of food for thought and a good corrective to all the anti-Cuban stuff in the media, the interviews are fascinating and say a lot about the difficulties the country continues to face... very interesting in terms of Cuban ideas of grassroots democracy and the problems of running an economy with a blockade." Derek Wall - former Principal Speaker of the Green Party (http://another-green-world.blogspot.com/2010/05/new-film-cuba-defending-sociali­sm.html) 'This film was summed up by the quote " I thought when i went to Cuba I could say if it was socialist or capitalist; having been I now say its a society trying to build socialism". A very realistic appraisal of Cuba which has not airbrushed out the difficulties there.' Steve Hedley, RMT London Transport Regional Organiser === Film summary: Cuba: Defending Socialism, Resisting Imperialism brings you voices from Cuba, a country fighting for social and economic justice, representing the aspirations of the poor and oppressed worldwide, building socialism in a capitalist world. The film demonstrates how vital Cuba is to the struggle for socialism in Britain and beyond. Featuring Cuban workers -- including a lawyer, economist, teacher and farmer -- this film explains how the Cuban people have set up their economy, constitution and social provision despite 50 years of imperialist attack, isolation and, since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Special Period. Today it is a nation that not only provides its own people with world-class healthcare and education, but also sends medical assistance to every corner of the globe. Cuba is at the heart of the Latin American trade and cooperation bloc ALBA, which operates on the basis of solidarity and complementarity, not profit and exploitation. Cuba continues to build and deepen its socialist system and democracy despite the punitive US blockade and having to cope with the international capitalist crisis. Meanwhile in Britain the political set-up makes a mockery of democracy: the working class is braced to pay for the economic crisis and Britain's military interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to claim thousands of civilian lives. Members of Rock around the Blockade who visited Cuba in 2009 in the wake of the global crisis, explain why they defend the socialist alternative offered by Cuba, socialism being the only system that can provide for the human race and preserve the environment in the long-term. Production details: Duration: 47 minutes Aspect ratio: 16:9 Widescreen Format: Colour, PAL Produced by: RATB, 2010 See: www.ratb.org.uk and www.revolutionarycommunist.org

• published: 11 Aug 2012
• views: 43533