Cuban Doctors in Italy and Africa: A Documentary Screening With Belly of the Beast

"We wanted to tell the story of these Cuban doctors, who are often silenced due to political narratives. You can agree or disagree, but it's real. Cuban doctors are helping. They are going to save lives, where they are needed," said Gabriela Tamarit, co-director of the documentary From Cuba to Calabria.

"My parents are immigrants from Southern Italy. I know how the healthcare system works there. For example, my cousin, who has diabetes, has to wait about six months for an appointment due to a lack of investment in the system. That's why I think it's very positive that the Calabria governor has stood firm in keeping Cuban doctors there to help people, and that the Calabrian community has warmly welcomed them," said Bruno Mayers, a member of the Germany May Day Brigade.

"I did not know at all about these medical brigades from Cuba. It's very inspiring and interesting to see because these events aren't covered in mainstream media," said Jonathan, a member of the German Kuba Brigade.

"I admire Cuban doctors. Their work is altruistic and selfless, bringing hope to the most remote places in the world," said Dr. Carlos Tamayo, activist from Washington D.C.

"In the case of Guinea-Bissau, it was an incredible discovery to be there with ELAM students and share their experiences as they lived them. We weren't separate from the process. We met people, we connected with people, exchanged with them, and truly understood their reality. It was something we experienced from beginning to end with the students, and also with the U.S. doctors leading the initiative. Seeing the results reflected on screen and watching people's reactions is always rewarding as a filmmaker, journalist and producer," Tamarit said.

"I really loved it, especially the documentary I appeared in. It happened almost a year ago, so it was very emotional to relive everything we went through in Guinea-Bissau. I felt great happiness seeing all my classmates there," said Daymara Melissa Pereira, medical student from Cabo Verde.

"I just wanted to say to you as doctors: Thank you so much for being heroes, not only of Cuba, but also heroes for the entire world," said an audience member during the Q&A.

"The United States healthcare system is among some of the most despicable institutions in existence. I don't know when was the last time I had a doctor that cared about me. But you standing before me reaffirms my belief that doctors are meant to help people and that there are still doctors who want to heal and not just become rich, which is what our system encourages," the audience member added.

"What is your opinion on how your documentaries can help in this information warfare and how do you think these documentaries contribute to ending the blockade against Cuba?" another audience member asked.

"We are currently conducting research on the impact of sanctions on infant mortality in Cuba. And I often repeat one statistic: in 2018, Cuba had an infant mortality rate of 4 per 1,000 live births, and now, by late 2024 into 2025, the figure is 9.9, nearly ten deaths for every thousand live births," said Liz Oliva Fernández, documentary producer with Belly of the Beast.

"I kept repeating that constantly, without really stopping to think in detail about what it actually means. What is the real impact? What does this difference in numbers represent? And while researching, I realized that if infant mortality had remained close to the level Cuba once had, I mean, it's the same Cuba, the same government, the same system in both 2018 and 2025, the only thing that changed was the intensity and tightening of the sanctions against the island," she continued.

"Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, all these people. If the rate had remained the same, we could have prevented the deaths of 1,800 babies. Suddenly, it's no longer just '9.9 versus 4 per thousand.' It's 1,800 babies. And for me, that has a real impact," Oliva Fernández said.

"Now I tell people: we could have prevented nearly 2,000 babies from dying. And that is enormous. It changes the way our minds process things, the way our brains understand them. And I like to think that Belly of the Beast is trying to build that understanding. It's trying to explain things to people in a way they can identify with the stories we're telling today," she concluded.