ARTE Documentaries

Rum & Revolution꞉ History of Havana (2025x1)

Air date: Feb 06, 2025

In the 1950s, Havana shines as a vibrant metropolis—alive with music, casinos, and cabarets. However, beneath the allure lies a city controlled by the American mafia, where luxury contrasts sharply with the poverty endured by most Cubans. U.S. tourists escape Prohibition and moral restrictions back home. Icons like Ernest Hemingway, Frank Sinatra, and Ava Gardner revel in the city’s rhythms, frequenting hotspots like the Hotel Nacional and the Tropicana nightclub. Yet beneath the surface, corruption and oppression grip Cuba.