. . . which I saw as part of a film festival double feature following VIVA CUBA! These films are similar in that they are both about two 12-year-olds who feel misunderstood or neglected in their home situations, sense the stirrings of first love for each other, and decide to take a road trip across the island on which they reside. What the young people pack for their respective trips is one of the highlights of both of these movies. Among the differences of the flicks is the musical score. CUBA features upbeat Spanish pop songs, while MOONRISE is backed by dramatic English classical music. While MOONRISE is a big-budget picture featuring a cast of Bruce Willis, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, etc., CUBA plays out with community-theater types probably working for food. MOONRISE's CGI is mostly missing in CUBA; the latter's ambiguous close with the kids disappearing in a crashing ocean wave might have been fixable if the director had had access to CGI resources adequate to make his actual intentions for the ending of his travel saga clear to his viewing audience.

"Pioneers of Communism, we shall be like Che." set in the land of Cuba, this story is subtly talking about living in the land of comrades and amidst this culture of communism is a story that Juan Carlos Cremata Malberti and Iraida Malberti Cabrera want to tell you. A story of unadulterated friendship and an unspoken language of love. That which can only be experienced and that discomforts you to rationalize it or put it into words. A story of Malu and Jorgito that like to defeat Spain in every war-game, that like to dance together and gaze at the sun, who like dogs and cats fight and argue over everything - but are equally addicted to each other for reasons they do not know and need to know. These "pioneers of exploration", set out on mission not knowing how far their destination is or how to make it there. Least bothered about the differences their parents and families share, these two are free from fear. fear of the unknown, fear of defeat for they know nothing can stop them as long as they are together. And this journey doesn't end in what they had desired it to be. But there's contentment in a the tragic choice they make. They choose not to succumb to irrational and insensitive boundaries that adults set for themselves and for these kids."It's better to die fighting for freedom than to live a life in chains" the kids manifest this into reality

I liked this film a lot. It is an easy-going, friendly creation -- not a lot of drama and nothing fearful or anxiety-producing, just a sweet story, which is great as far as I'm concerned. I think anyone would appreciate its genuine humanity. In particular, I loved its ingenuity -- this film is very different from standard Hollywood fare. The opening credits are extremely clever and the magical realism of Latin America was nicely evident. I thought some of the slapstick humor was a little too sophomoric, but there were also some extremely funny moments. The political overtones were occasionally heavy-handed, but the chance for an inside look at the Cuban people makes this film worth the price of admission. The two main actors were children and amazingly good. The filming of the Cuban countryside was first-rate. It is a gorgeous country. There were also a couple of very easy-on-the-eyes guys. (If you see this film, you'll know who I'm talking about!)

Malú and Jorgito fight every now and then but are in love.Only their families don't see it that way. Her mother is a devout Catholic with strict ideas of who she should associate with. His family are card-carrying communists with a deep sense of party loyalty. Both families are too absorbed in their own problems and hatred for each other to take much notice of the children.After Malu's grandmother dies Malu's mother decides to leave Cuba and join her boyfriend overseas.When Malú finds out that her mother is about to take her away, she escapes with Jorgito armed with the savings from her piggy bank. Their search for Malú's father who can help her stay in Cuba begins.Their journey involves a long journey across Cuba with many adventures along the way. As their families search for them , the two realize that life on the run is not all they thought it would be and a kind of homesickness begins to set in. Viva Cuba is a quirky coming-of-age road movie.