Movies

‘Los Frikis’ captures the punk rock spirit of Cuban rebellion

BBG News

Héctor Medina, star of the film “Los Frikis,” thinks the Cuban spirit is punk rock.

Debuted on Christmas 2024 and now streamable, the movie titled “Los Frikis” unfolds the tale of two siblings who covertly groove to Nirvana while navigating the hardships of Cuba’s “Special Period” in the ’90s. With the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, Cuba’s economy took a hit as it had been dependent on support from the U.S.S.R. This economic downturn led to scarcity and rationing, making daily life particularly challenging on the island.

“Los Frikis” drops us into the middle of this scarcity.

The film is filled with sex, rock music, and defiance, while also tackling weighty subjects. It draws upon the real events surrounding hundreds of Cubans who intentionally contracted HIV to secure government-funded sanatoriums, offering food and even ice cream. This creates a compelling and heartrending historical drama.

In the film, Medina portrays Paco, a lead singer sporting a mohawk and possessing an untamed spirit. To create this character, the Cuban actor reflects on the instructions given by directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz: “I need a wild animal, I need a wild animal, I need a truly wild creature.” And that’s exactly what he provided, coupled with tender moments.

At the start, before they all head to the sanatorium, Paco slaughters a homeless cat, allowing him, his bandmates, and his brother Gustavo to have something to eat. Throughout this scene, Eros de la Puente as younger sibling Gustavo displays both emotional turmoil due to the loss of the cat and compassion for the animal’s life.

Young Cubans possess a certain level of maturity due to their upbringing in Cuba, which can be likened to living in a jungle, according to De la Puente during a Zoom conversation. He further mentioned that this interview brought back memories of his own youthful innocence. ‘In Cuba, you must learn self-reliance and survival skills, traits Gustavo doesn’t seem to embody,’ he added.

After eating the cat, “The Frikis” become even more unruly – instead of corrupting Gustavo’s innocence, they challenge it in ways that go beyond the usual rites of passage for a young man. Paco doesn’t develop or mature; he simply embodies the raw, untamed power of nature.

Adria Arjona, who recently appeared in the 2024 dark thriller “Blink Twice” with Zoë Kravitz and the 2023 romantic comedy “Hit Man”, completes the cast by portraying the role of a love interest for one of the brothers.

Breathe life into the history of Cuba through heartfelt and captivating characters, “Los Frikis” portrays the tough struggle to survive in Cuba during the ’90s – an essential depiction, as De la Puente explains. “Many are unaware of the situation in Cuba,” he stated. “For the average Cuban, it’s simply a daily fight to find food, and that’s truly unfortunate.

Born in 1989, Medina is expressing his viewpoint, stating that the current situation is more challenging than it was during the ’90s. In 2024, the island has been hit by a series of hurricanes and earthquakes, which have further strained its aging infrastructure. Scarcity of resources and supplies, as well as frequent power outages, are becoming common occurrences.

In today’s political climate, this tale feels particularly relevant. Now residing in Miami, Medina nostalgically recalls the authentic punks from the ’90s, reminiscing about a time when his uncle introduced him to an extraordinary location that exclusively played rock ‘n’ roll and served as a gathering spot for counterculture enthusiasts.

Medina describes them as decent individuals, albeit unique, seeking autonomy. He then shares an encounter he had as a teenager with the alleged last genuine Friki – Gerson Govea – who intentionally contracted HIV and is still alive today. “I recall his distinctive mohawk, black attire, piercings, numerous tattoos,” Medina says, adding that he shared a cigar with him and they conversed. He also recalls the strong sense of camaraderie surrounding Govea, reminiscent of a family in that environment.

The feeling of unity also permeated during the filming of “Los Frikis,” as various team members adopted mohawks like the main actor, symbolically aligning themselves with the group he portrays, demonstrating their bond with the community he embodies.

The production also fostered cross-cultural learning in other unexpected ways.

De la Puente, now residing in L.A., finds humor in discovering his country’s history through Mark and Tyler, two American men. Prior to reading the script, he had no knowledge of this particular aspect of his nation’s past. Upon reading it, he expressed skepticism but found it to be accurate upon verification with his grandma and father.

The movie is bound to spark numerous discussions about what motivated punks on the island to such extremes during the ’90s – assuming it’s watched by viewers. Initially released in a select number of cinemas on Christmas Day, with screenings in Los Angeles and New York, it can now be streamed on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, and various other platforms.

When queried about his expectations for viewers watching his film, Medina articulates that he aims to motivate them to initiate changes in their personal lives.

He expressed a desire for individuals to contemplate the concept of liberty. Consider the actions one might take in pursuit of freedom, he suggested. The speaker emphasized the importance of embodying the free-spirited nature of rock and roll music. They underscored the necessity of breaking free from any form of control.

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2025-04-03 22:01

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