VOCES

Letters to Eloisa

Based on correspondence with his sister in exile, "Letters to Eloisa" recounts the life of Cuban literary great José Lezama Lima, author of a homoerotic novel, "Paradiso," and tells the story of his silencing by the Cuban revolutionary government.

Trailer | Letters to Eloisa

30s

Based on correspondence with his sister in exile, "Letters to Eloisa" recounts the life of Cuban literary great José Lezama Lima, author of a homoerotic novel, "Paradiso," and tells the story of his silencing by the Cuban revolutionary government.

Previews + Extras

  • 'Paradiso' Stirs Scandal Amid Glory Upon Release: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    'Paradiso' Stirs Scandal Amid Glory Upon Release

    S2021 E1 - 5m 30s

    Poet José Lezama Lima published his long-awaited novel "Paradiso" in 1966, revealing with it scenes that mirrored his own life and secrets he kept for decades. The novel was considered an exaltation of family as the center of human life. In the same way, it was considered an unprecedented invitation to think about being human in an erotic way, making it a source of scandal upon publication.

  • Cuba Censors José Lezama Lima: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Cuba Censors José Lezama Lima

    S2021 E1 - 7m 3s

    "Paradiso" marked José Lezama Lima as a writer too independent to be trusted by a government that required full compliance. Cuba censored his work as a result of the novel and suspicions that he was gay. Despite being forbidden in his own country, the novel was translated and revered worldwide. The poet grew hopeless as attempts to travel abroad were thwarted by denied exit visas.

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