Main Programme  

Casual labourer and amateur cameraman Andres recorded everyday life in a working class neighborhood of Havana for a period of 7 years. Filmmaker Annett Ilijew smuggled piles of tapes in and out of Cuba and edited Andres’ footage into a unique, intimate document that shows the reality of ordinary Cubans. Single father Andres points his small camera at his immediate surroundings: the family of his closest friend; the dissident couple next door that fights for political freedom; and at his own daughter and elderly aunt. We experience up-close how their lives are marked by the daily struggle for the most basic necessities, a political indoctrination, the retreat into niche cultures, and the pursuit of small, private moments of happiness.

Annet Ilijew

Born and raised in East Berlin, studied at the Film Academy at Babelsberg. Made 2 short documentaries, which where noticed and awarded in film festivals. Works as an independent director for ZDF and MDR channels.

Selected filmography

When I Cry My Heart Beats/Wenn ich Weine Schlaegt mein herz, 2008
Moskatcha, 2005