The Padilla Affair (2023)

"Neither a martyr nor a traitor"

The Padilla Affair (2023) poster

Havana, spring 1971: The poet Heberto Padilla has just been set free and appears before the Cuban Writers' Union where he pronounces a statement of "heartfelt self-criticism", declares himself to be a counterrevolutionary agent and throws accusations of complicity at many of his colleagues present at the event, among them, his wife. A month previously, his arrest under the accusation of endangering the security of the Cuban state had mobilised prominent intellectuals all over the world, who wrote a letter to Fidel Castro calling for the release of the poet, whose only sin had been to dissent through his poetic work. The writer's mea culpa, the recording of which is shown for the first time to the public, marks the narrative line of a story including the testimonies of Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Cortázar, Mario Vargas Llosa, Jean-Paul Sartre, Jorge Edwards and Fidel Castro.

Director: Pavel Giroud
Genre: Documentary
Runtime: 78 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Music: Pablo Cervantes
Editing: Pavel Giroud
Country: Cuba, Spain
Language: Español, Français, English
Original Language: es
More Films by Director: Pavel Giroud
More Films in Genre: Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Padilla Affair about?
Havana, spring 1971: The poet Heberto Padilla has just been set free and appears before the Cuban Writers' Union where he pronounces a statement of "heartfelt self-criticism", declares himself to be a counterrevolutionary agent and throws accusations of complicity at many of his colleagues present at the event, among them, his wife. A month previously, his arrest under the accusation of endangering the security of the Cuban state had mobilised prominent intellectuals all over the world, who wrote a letter to Fidel Castro calling for the release of the poet, whose only sin had been to dissent through his poetic work. The writer's mea culpa, the recording of which is shown for the first time to the public, marks the narrative line of a story including the testimonies of Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Cortázar, Mario Vargas Llosa, Jean-Paul Sartre, Jorge Edwards and Fidel Castro.
Who directed The Padilla Affair?
The Padilla Affair was directed by Pavel Giroud.
Who stars in The Padilla Affair?
The Padilla Affair stars Heberto Padilla, Fidel Castro, Gabriel García Márquez, Julio Cortázar, Mario Vargas Llosa, Jean-Paul Sartre.
How long is The Padilla Affair?
The Padilla Affair has a runtime of 1h 18m (78 minutes).
What genre is The Padilla Affair?
The Padilla Affair is a Documentary film.
Where was The Padilla Affair produced?
The Padilla Affair was produced in Cuba, Spain.