To the West, in Zapata

In the Zapata marshes of Cuba, Landi catches crocodiles with his bare hands to feed his family. Meanwhile, on the coast, Mercedes watches over their son, who has severe autism, collects charcoal, and tends to the household, awaiting her husband’s return. Daily life unfolds under the weight of a pandemic and the intense social tensions sweeping the country.

David Bim’s debut feature film, the result of eight years of work and a shared intimacy with the family, depicts moments of daily life where tenderness and anticipation intertwine. Through this captivating immersion, the film offers a sensitive portrait of a family in contemporary Cuba, far from the tourist gaze, and reveals the relationship of trust and closeness forged between the director and those he accompanies.

The screening, presented as part of FIFEQ-Montréal’s 22nd edition, will be followed by a discussion.