United States Agency for Global Media

Martís to premiere rum documentary on Facebook

January 31, 2020

Miami, FL — Radio and Television Martí will premiere the documentary film, Trago Amargo (Bitter Drink), on January 31, at 9:00 P.M. on Facebook. This marks the first time Radio and Television Martí will screen a film on the social media platform.

“We are always looking for ways to better connect with audiences in Cuba, and Facebook is increasingly how Cubans are accessing our programming,” said Acting Director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting Emilio Vazquez. “Trago Amargo is a dynamic and engaging project that we felt would be great to showcase on Facebook.”

Trago Amargo is a one-hour documentary that explores the history of rum in Cuba by looking into the long and litigious battle to legally distribute the spirit. It also explores the expropriation of Havana Club Rum from its original owners, the Arechabala family, by the Cuban government. The film is produced by award-winning Radio and Television Marti’s directors, Joe Cardona and Magdiel Aspillaga.

“The film is full of information that is unknown to the Cuban people—the turbulent history of the rum and the family who created it, which has never been exposed to a Cuban audience on the island,” explains co-director Magdiel Aspillaga.

Trago Amargo includes rare historical footage and photographs that document the growth of Cuba and the rum industry. Its fast-paced storytelling weaves together narratives about Hemingway, the era of prohibition, revolutions, and family traditions.

“After watching Trago Amargo, you will get a sense of how closely intertwined the history of rum is with the development of the Cuban nation,” said co-director Joe Cardona. “One can say rum is part of the Cuban DNA.”

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