The new feature documentary Here Was Cuba will be premiering this June at Sheffield Doc/Fest with two separate screenings. The film, made with the support of the Irish Film Board, PBS and produced by Crossing the Line Productions, tells the inside story of the Cuban Missile Crisis exploring how in October 1962 the earth teetered on the very brink of nuclear holocaust.
Featuring dramatic interviews with key witnesses and experts including Sergei Khrushchev, son of the former Soviet premier and, in one of his last ever interviews, John F Kennedy’s trusted advisor – Ted Sorensen – Here Was Cuba is an edge-of-your seat tale of espionage and intrigue at the highest level offering a fascinating perspective on one of the most harrowing times in modern history.
Directed by Emer Reynolds and John Murray, it explores the impact a Nuclear War would wreak on this fragile planet, and considers the threat still posed by this spectre. It’s a story that has huge resonance today especially given recent nuclear developments in India, Pakistan, North Korea and Iran. Director of Photography Kate McCullough is responsible for the striking visuals shot on location in Cuba, Russia and USA, Emer Reynolds also took on the role of editing the feature while Ray Harman composed the original score. It is produced by John Murray and Siobhán Ward.
Speaking about the world premiere at Sheffield, director Emer Reynold says “John and I are so thrilled that our film Here Was Cuba has been selected for Sheffield Doc/Fest, one of the major festivals in the world for documentary. It’s an honour to be able to premiere our film to such a documentary-loving audience, especially on the occasion of Sheffield’s 20th Anniversary. We are really looking forward to screening the film there and hearing the response.”
