Tensions soar in Havana as citizens chant 'Down with Fidel' amid economic unrest and the crumbling Berlin Wall. A tug of war ensues over the custody of five-year-old Elian Gonzalez, whose heartbreaking journey captivates both Cuba and America. Amidst riots and political upheaval, Castro faces a wave of dissent while struggling to maintain control over a nation yearning for change. Personal stories reveal the stark realities of life in Cuba, marked by strict censorship and the energy of a populace ready to defy oppression.
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Castro's Subtle Seduction Tactic
Actress and filmmaker Irene López Cuchilan recounts being invited to Fidel Castro's yacht through bodyguards as a subtle method of courting women.
She declined, asserting her independence by invoking a personal connection to Castro's friend.
insights INSIGHT
Ochoa Trial Signals No Change
Fidel Castro used the high-profile trial and execution of General Ochoa to reassert political control during rising Eastern European reforms.
The spectacle warned Cubans against expecting political change despite global communist collapse.
insights INSIGHT
Soviet Collapse Devastates Cuba Economy
The Soviet Union's collapse eliminated Cuba's economic lifeline, causing a $4 billion budget loss and crippling key sectors.
The U.S. embargo worsened the crisis, forcing Cuba into a "special period" of severe hardship.
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Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
After a tragedy in the Florida Straits, a dramatic tug of war takes place between Castro and America - all centred on a five-year-old boy. A new leader in the Soviet Union comes to power with fresh ideas which terrify Fidel. The Berlin Wall crumbles, putting Cuba on the brink. As riots break out in Havana, rebellion is in the air...
A Noiser podcast production.
Narrated by Paul McGann.
Featuring Alvaro Alba, Michael Bustamante, Anthony DePalma, Lillian Guerra, Irene Lopez Kuchilan, Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo, Rogelio Martinez.
This is Part 9 of 10.
Written by Edward White | Produced by Ed Baranski and Edward White | Exec produced by Joel Duddell | Sound supervisor: Tom Pink | Sound design & audio editing by George Tapp | Assembly editing by Dorry Macaulay, Anisha Deva | Compositions by Oliver Baines, Dorry Macaulay, Tom Pink | Mix & mastering: Cian Ryan-Morgan | Recording engineer: Joseph McGann.
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