Return to Cuba: In the Footsteps of Walker Evans (2016)

In November of 2014, weeks before President Obama announced restored relations with Cuba, a group of renowned photographers traveled to Cuba, following in the footsteps of the famous American documentary photographer, Walker Evans (1903-1975), who worked in Cuba 80 years prior. The film portrays the diverse ways that Sam Abell, Abelardo Morell, Mark Klett, Cig Harvey, and Greg Gorman make their own images while exploring the busy streets of Havana and genteel countryside of Vinales. From the quick, and studied street-photography style of Sam Abell, to the unique camera-obscura technique of Abe Morell, the film highlights the diverse art forms within the colorful and complex culture of Cuba. In his first commissioned body of work as a photographer-a year before he traveled to Hale County, Alabama, to complete the seminal depression era work at the Farm Security Administration that led to the book "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men"- Walker Evans traveled to Cuba in 1933 to document the conditions of the Machado regime for Carleton Beal's book "The Crime of Cuba". His work documented a fragile period of Cuba's history-beautifully and honestly depicting the poverty, political turmoil, and cultural complexities. Evans also spent two weeks in the company of Ernest Hemingway, who allegedly paid for Evans to extend his stay in the country to socialize and continue photographing. In the past 80 years, some things have changed in Cuba, while many other things have remained the same. While only time will tell, full diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba are now on the cusp of dramatic change, and the destiny of the longtime friendship of two groups of people who share a great deal in common hangs in the balance. "Return to Cuba: In the Footsteps of Walker Evans," captures a pivotal moment in Cuba's history and provides a beautiful and lively journey to a country on the edge of massive political, cultural, and economic change. From a retired National Geographic photographer, to Hollywood's most famous portrait photographer-the project brought together some of the world's most thoughtful and talented photographers. Of the five featured photographers, some closely re-photograph the locations of Evans' work, while others take a more interpretive approach. The range of photographic styles produced during the project highlights the artistic range and powerful tool of photography. Furthermore, the project allowed for close cultural, artistic, and professional exchanges between Cuban photographers and the American photographers.