Sara Gómez’s fascinating 1974 docu-romance-drama was the first Cuban feature film directed by a woman – and the last work by Gómez, who died suddenly aged 31 while the film was being edited. Through the prism of a new couple, teacher Yolanda (Yolanda Cuéllar) and factory worker Mario (Mario Balmaseda), De cierta manera examines the complexities of marginalised lives in 1970s Cuba through a factual narrative that contextualises the couple’s relationship, their communities and the tensions of life in a new socialist society. 

De cierta manera was fairly inaccessible to local audiences in Cuba upon its 1977 release due to its avant-garde nature, but informal circulation through YouTube has slowly improved access to the film. We’re thrilled to bring it to the ICA in its recently restored version as part of Women’s Stories from the Global South (& To Whom They Belong)