Waiting for Fidel

Synopsis

Two eccentric Canadians, one the former premier of Newfoundland, Joey Smallwood, and the other Geoff Stirling, a broadcaster and lifelong seeker of higher consciousness, head off to Cuba in a private jet. They are intent on meeting Fidel Castro and talking to him about a rapprochement between Cuba and the U.S. Fidel smells a rat and never turns up for the promised great diplomacy session. All of this takes place in front of the camera – the waiting and the endless arguments about the reality of Cuba. Directed by Michael Rubbo, who also appears in the film, Waiting for Fidel is a much-loved documentary, and its informal, director-as-star style was an inspiration for Michael Moore and his personal approach to filming documentaries (e.g. Bowling for Columbine).

Availability

The film can be seen on NFB's website and YouTube channel, as well as occasionally on Stirling's TV station CJON-DT during the Captain Atlantis Late Night block (2-4 AM Newfoundland time every Saturday).

What the critics said

New York Times film reviewer Richard Eder observed that "It is about Cuba, in a way, but it is also about the difficulty in seeing Cuba for what it may be." Gary Evans, in his chronicles of the National Film Board, called the film "one of the most intriguing documentaries of the period".