Old Havana.
“Cuban culture is a natural phenomenon, full of different colors and customs of a people. Especially the cuban music which is recognized all over the world”. These are the first words you'll hear in Ben Cox's video, Dance Havana , little more than three minutes of pure dance through the corners of Cuba and by the professionals of Sabine Müller's Baila Habana school.
what does the sound like Old Havana ? How are your people? Nothing better than understanding it through dance and dance, so rooted in the cuban culture.
“I booked some vacations in Cuba for two weeks thinking about resting from work but before I left I began to realize that I would lose a great opportunity if I didn't film during my time there”, he tells Traveler.es.
What does Cuba sound like?
Ben sent several emails to dance schools and that's how he coincided with Sabine's school. "I was very lucky to find such a talented and generous group of people, their dancing and their personality really made the film what it is," he adds.
For seven days they filmed the school's teachers, authentic dance professionals, in some of the most emblematic places in the city that Ben had previously chosen thanks to his walks through the cuban streets . From rooftops to abandoned movie theaters.
“I spent a lot of time wandering the streets to find colors and textures and create a beautiful portrait of the city to go along with the dance. I think one of the best things about Havana is that I never felt insecure. It is such a welcoming and hospitable place, and the people are very friendly”, he tells Traveler.es.
Cuba is dance and music.
So much so that Ben ended up playing basketball with the Cuban children and chatting with the older ones on the side of the road. The producer is clear about it, he is already thinking about coming back.
"I think many travel videos don't necessarily have a focus and I really wanted mine to be full of royal culture and avoid stereotypes. Dancing is a big part of cuban culture and wanted to celebrate it, showing the beauty, passion and energy of the cuban people ”.
Can't you wait any longer to see the result? Hit play...and ¡ Havana dance !
Dance Havana | Cuba, Colors and Culture from Ben Cox on Vimeo.