Havana Club asked me if I could write them a feature length documentary about rum. I said - how about the history of Cuba seen through the prism of a bottle of rum? They said - ok. I read loads of book, wrote a theme tune, persuaded a load of famous cuban musicians to do cover versions of it, and my directing partner Ben Holman and I went out to Cuba and filmed it all. After a limited cinema release it went online, and the internet LOVED it. Nearly a million views and hundreds and hundreds of positive comments. We are very happy with how it came out.
TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF CUBAN RUM
IS TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF CUBA ITSELF.
IS TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY OF CUBA ITSELF.
Anyone with even a fleeting relationship with Cuba knows that rum has influenced virtually every aspect of Cuban culture. From belief systems to music to revolution, rum has been there, playing its part. "Cuba in a Bottle" tells its story throughout each step of the island’s history, with hand drawn animation and a diverse cast which reflects the melting pot that is Cuba’s past and present.
The film's soundtrack was scored and recorded with a full Cuban band, that is complimented by a number of live performances from musicians spanning every Cuban genre from back street Rumba jams to Son, Feeling and Hip Hop.
From rarely filmed religious ceremonies, to the barracks of the sugar cane cutters, the story is told through interviews with legends from the world of music, sport and film as well as a host of Cuban rum experts and master blenders, to reveal how rum is the lifeblood of the country and still remains the sweet pulse of the Cuban soul.
Directed & Produced by
BEN HOLMAN & CHARLIE INMAN
Written by
CHARLIE INMAN, BEN HOLMAN
& DAVE BROOM
Editor & Assistant Director
FRANCISCO FORBES
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
BEN HOLMAN
ANIMATION
Gervais Merryweather & Tom Malins
ORIGINAL SCORE BY
Tom CC & Barak SchmoOL
BEN HOLMAN & CHARLIE INMAN
Written by
CHARLIE INMAN, BEN HOLMAN
& DAVE BROOM
Editor & Assistant Director
FRANCISCO FORBES
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
BEN HOLMAN
ANIMATION
Gervais Merryweather & Tom Malins
ORIGINAL SCORE BY
Tom CC & Barak SchmoOL
