José Martí: The Eye of the Canary

A vibrant historical drama about the great Cuban poet and national hero. Bees, arias, birthdays and bars are the keywords to four important chapters in the early life of José Martí. Through his father’s work, the quiet and intelligent boy comes to witness acts of brutal injustice at the hands of the government. Having seen how the Afro-Cuban population is treated, his social and political awareness slowly grows as he continues his education in Havana. Gradually, his distaste for the Spanish colonial power increases. He makes independence from Spain his main cause along with democracy and civil rights.

José Martí: The Eye of the Canary is an artistic film painting a portrait of a bright boy struggling against poverty and a strict father. The scenes change between harsh realism and quiet poetry, adding a sense of depth to the characters as well as to the story itself. Director Fernando Pérez shows us with great skill how childhood episodes help shape an adult's conciousness. This is a complex story that approaches its subject from several angles. No doubt is José Martí’s legacy still alive in Cuba today. kej