In Bernard Lessa’s “The Cuban Doctor,” there unfolds a pivotal scene where Akin, the doctor, compassionately persuades a hesitant indigenous mother to opt for surgery to restore her daughter’s vision in the left eye. Demonstrating kindness, respect, and patience, Akin’s approach stands in stark contrast to the political upheaval surrounding him in Bolsonaro’s Brazil in 2018.
Lessa, shedding light on the research behind the script, uncovered that the Cuban approach to practicing medicine is markedly more humane and less bureaucratic than the familiar Brazilian model. In an interview with Variety, he emphasized, “Bolsonaro became the spokesperson for the angry Brazilian medical class, which, despite not being willing to work in the places where the Cubans came to work, felt entitled to claim that market share.” Opposing Bolsonaro’s influence becomes a way to underscore the true stakes in that critical moment.
Beyond Akin’s medical calling, a profound connection blossoms with Ana, a local teacher, and her friend Sergio. Lead actor Reynier Morales infuses Akin with a humane and passionate depth, complemented by the chemistry Ana Flávia Cavalcanti and Guga Patriota bring to the triangular dynamic. Lessa highlighted the talents of the cast, stating, “Reynier is a very talented Cuban actor who left the island for the first time to film with us, while Ana is a great Brazilian actress with a growing career, who fortunately fell in love with the script and joined us.” Guga, akin to Sergio, charms everyone with his enlightened presence.
To cultivate intimacy among the characters, the director incorporates Forro, a close and sensual style of Brazilian dance synonymous with the North-Eastern region. However, Akin’s kindness doesn’t equate to weakness; rather, he fiercely contends for his sense of place in the world. According to Lessa, Akin’s personal journey intertwines with political aspects, forming the film’s balance. It explores the political landscape of Brazil during a crucial period and its direct impact on Akin’s life.
A foreboding motif emerges through a snake-stalking scene and the constant buildup of sand in their homes. Lessa elucidates, “A desert is a place where no action is possible, and that is the future being presented for our main character and for us as a society.” He sees the snake and the sand as harbingers of an impending desert, symbolizing a man deprived of pursuing his vocation and rendered incapable of effective action in the world.
Acknowledging the need for support in preserving regional culture, Lessa hopes that the film’s inclusion in Primer Corte Ventana Sur can establish partnerships to finalize the project optimally. His ultimate aspiration is to find sales agents and programmers who share the desire to bring the film to diverse audiences and locations.
Fast-forward to 2023, with Luna in office and Bolsonaro barred from power until 2030, Brazil undergoes a perceptible shift. For Lessa, maintaining agency remains paramount regardless of the political climate. He notes that while the film is set in 2018, its themes are remarkably contemporary, addressing the escalating threats to human rights and the planet itself. As societies question democratic systems and elect governments flirting with authoritarianism, the 21st century appears to be a promise of the desert. The film poses a crucial question: how can we reclaim our place of action in a world swiftly transforming into a desert?
