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Last Days in Havana

Name: Last Days in Havana
Director: Fernando Pérez
Released: 2016
Duration: 92 min

Representation Score

8.9/10

Excellent

2016

Director

Fernando Pérez

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Last Days in Havana succeeds by making the intersection of identity foundational to its structure rather than a secondary concern. By weaving together sexual orientation, racial authenticity, and the psychological toll of political shifts, the film creates a deeply textured character study. The portrayal of Diego is particularly effective, as his HIV status and sexuality are treated with dignity and a strong sense of self. This avoids reductive stereotypes and provides a nuanced look at life under systemic pressure. While the film excels in racial and cultural authenticity, the gender balance is less equitable. The narrative remains largely centered on the male experience, reflecting the patriarchal social constraints of the era depicted.

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Category Breakdown

Does Last Days in Havana have LGBTQ+ representation?

Excellent

The film centers on Diego, a gay man whose identity is crucial to his role in the story. It explores how his sexuality intersects with his HIV status, presenting a compassionate and resilient character.

How does Last Days in Havana portray gender?

Fair

The narrative focuses heavily on male protagonists within a revolutionary setting dominated by men. While it examines how social expectations shape romantic roles, the story remains primarily centered on the male experience.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Last Days in Havana?

Excellent

Havana’s diverse population is authentically depicted through a predominantly Afro-Cuban and mixed-race cast. This casting avoids Western homogenization and emphasizes a localized, post-colonial identity.

How does Last Days in Havana represent religion and culture?

Excellent

The story critiques how state structures and ideological mandates affect individuals. It portrays the tension between personal beliefs and collective duties within the complex context of the revolutionary era.

Does Last Days in Havana include disability representation?

Good

Diego provides a dignified portrayal of living with HIV, avoiding clichés and focusing on the practical and emotional realities of managing a life-altering condition.

Present on Screen

Exceptional, compassionate portrayal of LGBTQ+ identity and the intersection of sexuality with chronic illness.
Authentic racial representation through a predominantly Afro-Cuban and mixed-race cast.
Deeply nuanced cultural critique of how state ideologies impact individual autonomy and personal beliefs.

Limited or Absent

Gender representation is limited, as the central roles are heavily concentrated within male protagonists.
The narrative focus on patriarchal revolutionary settings leaves less room for diverse female perspectives.

Official Synopsis

The story of a friendship in a city on the verge of substantial change. Miguel dreams of settling in New York while he waits for a visa that never seems to arrive, and Diego, a HIV-positive homosexual man, puts his dreams and cheerfulness to good use in his struggle to carry on enjoying every single day of his life from a rickety old bed in his small bedroom.

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