Four decades after hijacking a plane to Cuba to avoid charges of killing a state trooper, a former black power militant reflects on his past in a letter to his nine-year-old Cuban son.

Interview with Director Kadri Koop

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! I came around making the film when US-Cuba relations started thawing for the first time in half a century. At the time, I was still in graduate school and busy researching film ideas for my thesis. While surfing the web, I came across a CNN news clip about an ex-black power militant wanting to return to the US to face a trial after more than four decades of living in exile in Cuba. I had never heard anything about black radicals or them fleeing to Cuba in the 70s. Especially as a foreigner in the US, I wanted to understand the particular backstory and thought there must be more to it.

I shortly realized it wasn't only the fact that I was Estonian, but that it’s generally not a well-known piece of US history. Also, there was something odd about CNN’s reporting on Mr. Hill, and I felt like there was a different and less mainstream angle to his story. After I began reading up about Mr. Hill and the history surrounding that era, I was sure that I wanted to pursue the project to revive some of the past and situate it right in the present moment when the two countries are finally on friendlier terms again.

Charlie - Even though a free man in Cuba, life as a fugitive is limiting.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

There are many aspects of the film that might speak to you regardless of your taste. Not only is the film interesting on the level of it being a unique story about the longest-living American (fugitive) in Cuba, but it also revives an important piece of American history that is often overlooked. On another lever, the film offers an intimate take on a father-son relationship, which should make the entire situation surrounding Mr. Hill much more relatable to anyone that has ever loved anyone. Beyond the aforementioned, I’d like to think that the cinematography and the languid pace of the film enable the viewer to appreciate the unique scenery of Cuba where the story unfolds.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

On a personal level, the theme of love and sacrifice is explored in the letter of the protagonist to his 9-year-old Cuban son. On a universal level, the theme of justice is explored by looking into the details of Mr. Hill’s story and how he ended up hijacking a plane to Cuba.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

The cinematic vision for the film evolved quite a bit from the original. A lot of it had to do with the unforeseen complications that filming in Havana introduced. Basically, everything proved to be more difficult than expected. Even things like recording voiceover took a lot longer just because most houses in Havana are not sound proof. We had to record 4am-6am in the morning to find time when all the music, shouting and cars in the street were not present.

Charlie - Mr Hill seeing a photo of himself from when hehijacked a place to Cuba at age 22.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It’s a complicated story and a somewhat controversial take on it so I’m prepared for some pretty intense comments somewhere along the line of touring with the film. Currently, however, it has been only positive.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

No, but I’m sure it’s a possibility in the future.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Hopefully finding out about the subject matter presented by the film will encourage more people to read up about history. Even better, I hope people will consider that truth might be more complicated than what is often presented in the media.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Whoever believes in the message of the film and thinks this story is worth sharing with a wide audience.

Charlie - The core of the film is a father-son relationship.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would love the film to make people curious to research why black people radicalized in the 60s and 70s and how it’s relevant to the present day and age.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What might it take to find oneself being accused of murdering a police officer?

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am currently freelancing as a producer/cinematographer for various vendors in Silicon Valley while also researching topics for her first feature documentary. Swati Guild is making short form video work for a tech company while actively involved in community organizing in Oakland.

Interview: February 2017

_______________________________________________________________________________

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

_______________________________________________________________________________

Charlie

Four decades after hijacking a plane to Cuba to avoid charges of killing a state trooper, a former black power militant reflects on his past in a letter to his nine-year-old Cuban son.

Length: 00:13:20

Director: Kadri Koop

Producer: Kadri Koop & Swati Guild

About the writer, director and producer:

Kadri Koop is an Estonian filmmaker, cinematographer and editor based in the Bay Area. Having worked in TV-commercials, narrative film and independently as a documentary filmmaker, she mixes various modes of storytelling.

Swati Guild is an artist and filmmaker whose projects span numerous media including documentary film, experimental video, and photography. Swati’s previous film projects have taken her around the world, where she has worked as a cinematographer, producer, and editor in collaboration with artists and activists on topics ranging from maternal health to community agro-forestry.

Key cast: Charlie Hill

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): anybody but a producer

Where can I see it in the next month?

in LA @ New FilmMakers LA

in Montana @ Big Sky Documentary Film Festival