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Winner World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary, Sundance Film Festival 2020.
Waves crashing over a breakwater at the edge of the sea—this dramatic opening image conveys the vital spirit of a place that has withstood decades of external pressure. On the streets of Havana, residents of all ages share their views on living under such impositions by outsiders, as well as on the internal freedom they experience in spite of the repercussions of harsh sanctions. Descriptions of the waves of imperialism that have shaped this country’s history provide a deeper understanding of the impact of long-term oppression and the powerful desire to exist without outside forces weighing in.
Academy Award–nominated director Hubert Sauper (Darwin’s Nightmare) explores contemporary perspectives from citizens of the golden isle accompanied by images of another time—reflecting how Cuba still sits partially frozen in time, delicately suspended between the modern era and a time before technology seeped into all facets of life. A visual meld of geopolitical, cinematic, and personal connections, Epicentro enchants and suggests a new perspective on an old world.
Hubert Sauper was born in Kitzbühel, Tyrolian Alps. Having spent his childhood in Austria, he then lived in Great Britain, Italy, the USA, Tanzania, Congo and South Sudan. His «homebase» since the mid 90s is France. He studied film directing partly in Vienna and Paris (Univ. of Performing Arts, Univ. de Paris VIII.) and graduated with excellence B. A. (Mag. art.).
Sauper’s socio-political and poetic films have been winning over 50 major international prizes, among them the awards at Venice Film Festival, Berlinale, Sundance, NY, the French (César), Austrian and European Academy Award. His documentary DARWIN’S NIGHTMARE (2004) was nominated for an Oscar in the category Best documentary in 2006.
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