Voices of the Sea

Sunday, June 17, 2018

New York Premiere!
Screening followed by discussion with filmmaker Kim Hopkins.
“‘For the humble, by the humble.’ … That was the goal. But the humble don’t have access to anything that other people have. It will improve for those on top. And for us down here it will be the same or worse.”
– Mariela Mora Quintana, film subject, Voices of the Sea

In this tiny, remote Cuban fishing village, Mariela, a mother of four young children, longs for a better life. The families in her village are utterly dependent on the day’s catch, which changes with the tide. The shops are empty, school is repeatedly shut down due to a lack of resources, and basic transportation is non-existent. With the relationship between the US and Cuba in flux, Mariela, like many Cubans, is afraid that her only chance to escape to the US will soon close. Her husband, Pita, loves his community, cherishes his friendships, and is loyal to his craft as a fisherman. The tension between husband and wife — one desperate to leave, the other content to stay — builds further after her brother and neighbors flee the country, risking their lives to chase the American Dream.

Official selection: True/False Film Festival 2018

A vital forum for cinema that tackles important global issues, HRWFF annually showcases an international selection of acclaimed films that bring human rights struggles to life through storytelling—challenging, provocative movies that call for justice and social change.

Additional screenings take place at the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

Human Rights Watch Film Festival

  • Country UK
  • Language Spanish and English with English subtitles
  • Year 2018
  • Running Time 99 minutes
  • Director Kim Hopkins
  • Writer Kim Hopkins

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.