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CANDY, MY CUBAN DAD

CANDY, MY CUBAN DAD
By Armando Pastor

GENRE: Musical, Comedy
LOGLINE:

Marilyn, an American filmmaker arrives in Cuba to interview the famous musician, Candy. He recounts to her exhilarating stories of his life- full of music dance, humor, and troubles- spanning from the 1920s to the 1990s before discovering that Marilyn is, in fact, his daughter… and chaos erupts in the family.

SYNOPSIS:

At the end of the 90s Marilyn, an American filmmaker, travels to Cuba in search of El Candy, her father. Her mother just recently confessed that her father was a famous Cuban musician, married, with whom she had an affair in New York back in the day, but never told him about her pregnancy nor her birth.

El Candy felt so guilty for being unfaithful to his wife Florinda, that when he returned to Cuba in the 50s, he quit music to dedicate his time to building a family. He hid the affair from Florinda but pled never to separate from her again.

Upon meeting her father, Marilyn tells Candy that she came to interview him for a documentary. She wanted to get to know him well, before disclosing that she is her daughter.

El Candy, his wife Florinda, and their children Coralita and Emilito, enthusiastically relate the fascinating stories of their lives that take us from the slumps of the barrios of Havana in the 20s to an illegal house restaurant at the end of the 90s. These hilarious vignettes give us a magical but realistic portrait of Cuba, wrapped in the dazzling music and vibrant dances of the different eras.

Through the stories, Marilyn finds out where El Candy grew up, how he met his wife, Florinda; how Florinda’s father, Don Antonio, opposed their relationship and they had to flee to Havana to be able to be together; how Florinda had to hide in a bordello to outwit the men sent by his father; how they had to endure a long separation while El Candy was on tour in New York (where he had the affair with Marilyn’s mother); how after the Revolution they confiscated the bar he acquired with so many sacrifices; and the worst part, how El Candy almost gets killed, stabbed by a hitman sent by Don Antonio.

Marilyn was left so moved by all the troubles that his father and her new family had to go through that now she doubts revealing her secret for fear of disrupting such a loving family and risking the opportunity to be accepted and loved.

An encounter with a wise priest gave Marilyn the strength and courage she needed to finally reveal that she is Candy’s daughter. Chaos ensues. The first surprised was El Candy, who had no clue that he had another child. Then Florinda, who never suspected that Candy had been unfaithful to her. Their children couldn’t believe it.

Candy, deeply regretful, admits his infidelity. He blames his immaturity and the long separation. Finally, Florinda forgives him. After all, it happened many years ago. His children too. They all embrace. Marilyn is accepted in the family and they all happily celebrate the arrival of the new member.

There is a very emotional moment seeing El Candy, already liberated from his guilt and procrastination, pick up his bongos, dust them and play a virtuoso pass. They all cheer.

Besides its moving story- through humor and wit- this project strives to showcase the richness of Cuban culture by glancing at Cuban society throughout the 20th century.

CANDY, MY CUBAN DAD

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