Red Cockroaches

Alienation and anger in modern society resulting in apocalypse.

Parody of Hollywood's action blockbusters using the typical trailer of a B-movie.

An intellectual leaves the Cuban revolution and 'underdevelopment' behind only to find himself at odds with the ambiguities of his new life in the 'developed' world. A portrait of alienation, of an outsider with no clear-cut politics or ideology. A stranger in a strange land struggling with old age, sexual desire and ultimately the impossibility for the individual to belong in any society. The film's narrative is a collage of flashbacks, daydreams, and hallucinations comprising live-action, animation, and newsreel footage assembled to suggest the way personal memory works, subjectively and emotionally.

In an alternate reality, Fidel Castro uses genetic engineering to build the new man and thus save utopia. The experiment fails as these beings are highly intelligent but also cruel and uncontrollable. Rejected by their own creators, a group organizes a series of terrorist actions, and chaos reigns on the island. One of its members traces the origin of their genes and begins a journey to try to discover their humanity.

In Cuba, artists have to be recognized by one of the state-sponsored art institutions that ensure their work complies with the state’s vision and policy. Existing as an independent artist means having no income and no rights, and being subjected to various forms of control and intimidation.