American Purgatory: 90 Days Behind the Wire of Guantanamo USNB (1996)

Genres - Historical Film  |   Sub-Genres - Politics & Government  |   Run Time - 90 min.  |   Countries - United States  |  
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Synopsis by Sandra Brennan

Set within the U.S. refugee facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, filmmaker Rafael Oller surreptitiously filmed interviews with the refugees interned there. Because he kept the camera hidden in a paper bag, the photography isn't great, but the dramatic stories of the refugees more than makes up for it. The subjects speak of their oppressed lives in Cuba and of their dangerous attempts to cross the turbulent, shark-infested waters to Florida. Many of these refugees are so determined to leave that they escape from the facility, and, though they know it is dangerous, continue their attempts to make it to freedom. The documentary does feature a few of those who succeeded.

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Keywords

persecution, captive, captor, escape, freedom, oppression, political-prisoner, refugee