EI Mar y El: Film Screening and Discussion with Director Tony Mendez

E/MaryEl is a tragicomedy based on the true story of Ricardo, a decent man who made several ludicrous attempts to escape Cuba during the Mariel boatlift. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter opened U.S. borders to Cuban exiles. Soon, hundreds of Cubans living in South Florida navigated back to Cuba to claim their families. In response, Castro opened his prison cells and insane asylums, granting them priority to exit the country. Upon learning that his wife Marla is pregnant, Ricardo realizes that Cuba is not the place to raise his unborn child. Ricardo and Maria suit up as delinquents in an attempt to convince authorities that they deserve to leave the island.https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cri_events/1403/thumbnail.jp