The Ones Who Stay was born while I was in Havana developing The New Cubans, my photography project and exhibition currently touring internationally (Korea, Canada, Cuba, France, and soon Mexico). During this time, the reality of Cuba’s mass migration crisis became impossible to ignore. What began as another project evolved into an intimate portrait of those who remain
Through the stories of four young artists still living on the island, the short documentary explores the pain, resilience, and quiet resistance of a generation torn between leaving or staying in their homeland. While Cuba faces its worst socio-economic crisis since the revolution, these artists continue to create, to dream, and to shape their cultural identity despite the uncertainty.
This film, co-directed by Olivier Côté and I, has been officially selected as part of the National Competition at the Festival du nouveau cinéma in Montreal. Screenings will take place on October 10 and 16, 20025 at 9 PM, followed by a Q&A with Olivier and myself.