The Cuban

Louis Gossett Jr. expands his repertoire of exceptional performances in the role of Luis, an elderly Cuban musician who is brought out of his shell by his care worker, a young Afghan immigrant named Mina. Luis is one of Mina’s most enigmatic patients – he has dementia and Alzheimer's and spends his time retreated inside his own mind. Mina’s attempts to get through, even just to feed Luis, are futile. That is, until she discovers the music. A poster of Benny More inspires Mina to hum a jazz tune that, to her surprise, ignites a spark inside him. As each day passes the music awakens Luis more and more until the colourful world of his past becomes vibrant and real again. Mina comes into her own as she gets to know him and their friendship blossoms. But as Luis becomes more awake to the world, tensions rise in the nursing home. The Cuban is a powerful heart-warming experience of music, friendship, family and loyalty that highlights the humanity of some of the most vulnerable in our society and the light they are still capable of bringing those who care for them in their final days. (Whistler Film Festival)