BBC 2 tonight at 2100hrs

[Andy W]

Could be an interesting documentry about Cuba.

[Simon-JG-hr]

I usually find Simon Reeve's documentaries rather enjoyable - not in the same league as Palin, but different. Good start so far.

[Drewmidorn]

Interesting. I was there in April and was very aware of all the changes occurring.

[Deano]

Saw it on just in time, Sky+'d it so hoping to get a watch asap - one good thing has come of it already, girlf watched it and wants to go back! YAY

[DavidD]

Watched the programme with interest but slightly disappointed that there was no coverage of the cigar industry. I suppose I had hoped for a feature inside the rolling room of one of the big houses but that wasn't to be.

[Ryan]

I thought it was alright. Much too positive really regarding the economic changes. Property sales might improve life for some Cubans but what Cuban can afford $850K for a house. Ex-pats will buy the best properties or foreign "entrepreneurs" using Cuban brokers/partners. Like daily life in Cuba, it will be corrupt, with the average guy f**ked.
Not a mention of the rampant sex-tourism, underage prostitution, food rations being cut every year since the early nineties to the point where the average salary plus ration book gets you maybe 10 days worth of food for the month.
The doctor/plumbing supply salesman seemed like a genuinely nice guy, as most Cubans are. Everyone interviewed though was very aware they were speaking to a camera. Talk to a Cuban "off-the-record" and you'll almost always hear a very different story.

[DavidD]

I think Ryan makes one or two valid points. I wasn't impressed with the almost clinical approach to several of the features although I felt great sympathy for the folk who lived in the run-down, uninhabitable housing blocks. The 'talk to camera' bits clearly edited out the interpreters as none of the characters interviewed spoke English. I still find it very difficult to watch a programme on Cuba WITHOUT reference to the cigar industry. Maybe I'm too focussed on that aspect of Cuban life. Can't help thinking that Michael Palin or Louis Feroux would have approached the subject differently.

[nicwing]

It is difficult to do a hard hitting overview of Cuba in an hour, especially with a government official breathing down your neck and ensuring you toe the line. It was an interesting program with some insights into the changes that are starting to be made. I just felt that the last item was really trite. As if flipping burgers and becoming like the USA is the answer to their problems.

The people are unique, charming and amazing after 50 years of hardship for the vast majority of people.

It's going to be bloody awful when the Americans get free access, much better for the people (I hope) but still nothing like as charming as it is now.

It made me want to get on the first plane back to Havana.

[Simon-JG-hr]

Ryan, have to agree with you. I do like Simon Reeve, though I found the documentary to be (as you say) a little on the positive side - especially given what the camera was showing (a picture paints a thousand words...) I'm glad I wasn't the only one left somewhat annoyed at the happy-clappy coverage of the housing market - never mind the $850,000 mansion they were talking about, what Cuban can afford the $50,000 they spoke of first!?

[Simon-JG-hr]

Still... It beat anything else that was on at 2100 on a Tuesday.