The Cuban: A film about the power of music over Alzheimer’s

A Musical Journey of Love, Friendship and the Power of Imagination

The Cuban is a “a story of how the power of music knows no barriers”. A young Afghan immigrant, a naive pre-med student named Mina starts her first job at a nursing home when an unexpected friendship with Luis, an elderly Cuban musician, a resident with dementia, reignites her love of music and changes her life.

This major motion picture was shot in Brantford and the County of Brant (Ontario, Canada). The cast includes Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr., MTV’s Degrassi actress Ana Golja, Giacomo Gianniotti of Grey’s Anatomy fame and Canadian Screen Award winner actor Enrico Colantoni. International award-winning director Sergio Navarretta, is leading the project along with award-winning writer/producer Alessandra Piccione and producer Tara Koltun.

Alma Records released a soundtrack album for this indie drama, featuring original music composed by Grammy Award-nominated jazz pianist Hilario Durán. The soundtrack is now available on amazon for download and on streaming services. It’s been recently announced that The Cuban will be premiering in Toronto at the Lavazza Drive-In Film Festival as the opening film on July 20th at Ontario Place at 9pm.

The Cuban is a feature film about a nineteen year old immigrant from Afghanistan. Having lost her parents at a very young age, Mina Ayoub, was sent to live with her aunt in Canada.

Pressured to pursue a career in medicine, as opposed to her real passion — music, Mina reluctantly takes a part time job at a local nursing home. Here she meets Luis García, one of Mina’s most enigmatic patients, who has Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia and spends his time retreated in a wheelchair, in his room.

Mina hums tunes from her childhood as she goes about the job of feeding Luis and to her surprise, it ignites a spark inside him and he begins to awaken.

There are some things in life that bring together the most unlikely people – Music is one of them. The Cuban explores the power of music and how it knows no barriers; how it ignites a fire within those that consume it, which in turn, helps create memories that last a lifetime.

We want to shine a light on the progression of Alzheimer’s which robs a person of these memories. The story will remind the audience to never take life for granted, cherish the precious moments with those that are close to us, and most importantly, value one another’s stories before they’re taken away for eternity.

One of the central components of this film is the effects of music therapy on those living with Alzheimer’s, and the producers partnered with the Music Project. Music can allow a person living with dementia to rediscover pleasure in the world. The Alzheimer Society’s Music Project was created in response to overwhelming evidence showing the beneficial effects of music on people living with dementia.

Through the Music Project, personalized playlists are provided FREE of cost to support a person living with dementia and improve their quality of life.

*Source: The Cuban Kickstarter Fundraising page and other local online media

The Cuban [Soundtrack]
2020 Alma Records [Released on: 2020-05-22]
Composer Lyricist, Piano: Hilario Durán
Producer, Double Bass: Roberto Occhipinti
Trumpet: Alexis Baró
Drums: Amhed Mitchel
Guitar: Elmer Ferrer
Percussion: Luis Orbegoso

1. The Cuban (Opening Theme) (3:33)
2. El Cañonero (4:14)
3. Quizas, Quizas, Quizas (feat. Alberto Alberto) (2:33)
4. Guantanamera (3:32)
5. Mambo In Dominante (3:50)
6. Havana Love (1:36)
7. Luis Daydream (2:10)
8. Mambo Rico (3:05)
9. The Great Escape (3:02)
10. El Milagro (2:38)
11. En Un Beso (3:05)
12. Quizás, Quizás, Quizás (Havana Lounge) (feat. Ana Golja) (2:32)
13. The Red Dress (1:06)
14. Descarga En Changüi (3:11)