** The Coolidge Corner Theatre hosts a virtual Q&A with director Hubert Sauper on Sep. 5 at noon PDT! Watch here > **

** Sundance World Cinema Grand Jury Prizewinner: Documentary **

Epicentro is an immersive and metaphorical portrait of post-colonial, “utopian” Cuba, where the 1898 explosion of the USS Maine still resonates. This Big Bang ended Spanish colonial dominance in the Americas and ushered in the era of the American Empire. At the same time and place, a powerful tool of conquest was born: cinema as propaganda. In his latest film, Oscar-nominated director Hubert Sauper (Darwin’s Nightmare) explores a century of interventionism and myth-making together with the extraordinary people of Havana—who he calls “young prophets”—to interrogate time, imperialism and cinema itself.

Description courtesy of Kino Lorber. Photo credit for all images on this page: “A scene from Epicentro, courtesy Kino Lorber.”

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“Captures a Cuba that seems frozen in time… a vivid sense of Havana.” – Allan Hunter, Screen Daily

“A hypnotic immersion into a country and culture embargoed by decades of our country’s foreign policy.” – Peter Keough, The Boston Globe

“A brilliant mixture of historical-poetic analysis and a ground-level journey among the denizens of Havana. The director’s remarkable eye… will mesmerize you.” – Bilge Ebiri, Vulture

“Always interesting… frequently fascinating.” – Ben Kenigsberg, The New York Times

“A rigorous but compassionate gaze on this remarkable place.” – Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter

“An excellent exercise in decolonial thinking.” – Inge Coolsaet, POV Magazine

“A film that’s just brimming with ideas.” – Devika Girish, Film Comment Podcast