7 DÍAS EN LA HABANA (7 DAYS IN HAVANA)

Anthology films have a way to become a rather aimless exercise where a number of filmmakers work out their short-form skills around a suggested theme or location, usually to rather disappointing returns and a general sense of "why did they bother?". While 7 Days in Havana has a somewhat stronger backbone than most - each of the seven directors handles one day of the week, based on scripts or a "bible" of ideas and connecting characters from celebrated local novelist Leonardo Padura - and an intriguing roster of global helmers, the end result is as generally disappointing and aimless as in most of these efforts.

     Part of the problem is that this Franco-Spanish co-production was partly funded by rum company Havana Club, tainting the project with a soft-sell product-placement message that is all the more unfair for being so obviously untrue. Another part is that the film gets off to a disastrous start, with the three initial episodes falling for every single tourist trap, inconsequential anecdote and overwrought cliché the idea of Havana conjures. Esteemed Argentine director Pablo Trapero's is probably the greatest disappointment - following Emir Kusturica's bleary, jet-lagged trip to pick up a career award redeemed by a casual jam session where his driver-cum-trumpeter shines, but relying ultimately in banal preconceptions and attempting to jazz up a non-existant script with some nervous handheld camera. 

     Thankfully, these are more than made up for by the two strongest and smartest sketches: Palestinian Elia Suleiman's quietly burlesque, deadpan-dry observation of the behind-the-scenes daily Cuba, and Franco-Argentine firebrand Gaspar Noé's unusually thoughtful, tranquil look at a ritual pagan celebration, both in line with their previous work as well as with the project's constraints. Cuban director Juan Carlos Tabío's and Frenchman Laurent Cantet's contributions are the most in tune with the idea of a more attentive, narrative look at daily Havana life that escapes the touristy clichés, actually showing a different look at the city - it's just that, stylistically, they're functional rather than inspired and, especially in Mr. Cantet's short, somewhat remote from his usual thoughtfulness. 

     What comes out of this free-for-all is one of those weird cadavres exquis that are promising on paper but end up leaving a sour after-taste, like a suggestive meal that turns out to be flavourless and disappointing.

El Yuma

Cast: Josh Hutcherson, Vladimir Cruz, Daisy Granados, Claríola Muñiz, Rebeca Proenza

Director: Benicio del Toro

Screenplay: Leonardo Padura

Editor: Rich Fox

Jam Session

Cast: Emir Kusturica, Alexander Abreu

Director: Pablo Trapero

Screenplay: Alejandro Fadel, Martín Máuregui, Santiago Mitre, Mr. Trapero

Editors: Santiago Esteves, Mr. Trapero

La Tentación de Cecília (Cecília's Temptation)

Cast: Daniel Brühl, Melvis Estévez, Leo Benítez

Director and editor: Julio Medem

Screenplay: Mr. Padura, Mr. Medem

Diary of a Beginner

Cast, director and writer: Elia Suleiman

Editor: Véronique Lange

Ritual

Cast: Cristela de la Caridad Herrera, Othello Rensoli

Director, writer and cinematographer: Gaspar Noé

Costumes: Omaima Salem

Editors: Mr. Noé, Thomas Fernández

Dulce Amargo (Bitter Sweet)

Cast: Mirtha Ibarra, Jorge Perugorría, Ms. Estévez

Director: Juan Carlos Tabío

Screenplay: Mr. Padura

Editor: Berta Frías

La Fuente (The Fountain)

Cast: Nathalia Amore, Mr. Rensoli, Andrés Vidal, Alexis Vidal

Director and writer: Laurent Cantet

Editor: Alexandro Rodríguez

All episodes (except where indicated)

Cinematography: Daniel Aranyó, Diego Dussuel  (colour, processing by Technicolor)

Music: Xavi Turull with Descemer Bueno and Kelvis Ochoa

Art direction and costumes: Juan Pedro de Gaspar

Producers: Álvaro Longoria, Gaël Nouaille, Laurent Baudens, Didar Domehri, Fabien Pisani (Full House and Morena Films, with the collaboration of Havana Club International, in association with Backup Films, Sofica Coficup, Palatine Étoile 8 & 9, Chaocorp Distribution and M&C Saatchi.GAD)

Spain/France, 2012, 129 minutes

Screened: distributor advance screener DVD, Lisbon, September 8th 2012