BLOQUEO

Documentary, USA, 2004, Digital, 45 min.
English and Spanish, with English subtitles

SYNOPSIS
Two young filmmakers travel to Cuba for the first time to discover the story behind the U.S. blockade. They join the Pastors for Peace Caravan—an annual journey that calls attention to this controversial policy by defying U.S. law and traveling to the island.

Featuring voices from the streets of Havana, the Cuban countryside, and those involved in the Cuba solidarity network, Bloqueo (or blockade) lets Cubans speak for themselves about how they have been affected by this policy, and what it means to live in Cuba today.

Bloqueo examines the effects of the 40-year-old embargo, the reasons for its implementation, and why it has endured for so many decades. In addition to exploring the embargo's tremendous impact on the lives of the Cuban people, Bloqueo looks at the successes that have made Cuba a model in healthcare, environmental stewardship, and other arenas. Bloqueo demonstrates how Cuba's policies in these areas have forged an alternative and more sustainable system.

CREW
Written, produced, directed and filmed by Heather Haddon and Rachel Dannefer; Editor: Hugh Gran

BIOS
Heather Haddon is a reporter, photographer and layout manager for the Norwood News, an award-winning Bronx community newspaper. She has received seven New York City Independent Press Association awards for writing. Heather helped found the Indypendent, a volunteer-based New York City newspaper, and has written for the Village Voice, Alternet, Common Dreams, Punk Planet, and Clamor. She currently lives in Queens.

Rachel Dannefer coordinates the National Immigrant Farming Initiative (NIFI), an initiative of Heifer International established in response to the growing numbers of immigrant and refugee farmers around the country. This is the first national effort to increase visibility and leverage support for immigrant and refugee farmers. Previously, Rachel served as the founding Director of the New Farmer Development Project, which supports Latino farmers in the New York City region. She has a B.A. in Latin American Studies and Environmental Studies from Oberlin College.

Contact: cinematicsisters@yahoo.com