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Series V: Cuba/South Africa: After the Battle, 1990-1998, inclusive

Scope and Content Note

Cuba/South Africa: After the Battle (Cuba y Sudáfrica: Después de la Batalla) relates the history of the Angola's war for independence and Cuba's contribution to the war efforts. The 58-minute documentary examines the motivations and consequences of the war. In addition to copies of the full-length documentary, this series contains footage shot in Angola and Cuba, which includes interviews with soldiers and families of those who were killed.

Historical/Biographical Note

Estela Bravo filmed After the Battle on location in Angola, South Africa, Namibia and Cuba following the 1998 surrender of South African troops in the Angolan war of independence. It was released in 1990, and in 1991 it won a Silver Apple Award for Best Film in War and Peace category at the National Educational Film and Video Festival in Oakland, California.

Cuba y Sudáfrica: Después de la Batalla, 1991, inclusive

Box: 75, DVD: ref4 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Scope and Content Note

This is a full-length feature of the film Cuba y Sudáfrica: Después de la Batalla. This film is in Spanish.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Umatic. Duration: 00:58:00.

Cuba/South Africa: After the Battle, 1990, inclusive

Box: 73, DVD: 5, 6, 14 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Extent

3 DVDs

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Content of these DVDs is born-digital. Advanced notice is required to access these materials.

Cuba/South Africa: After the Battle, circa 1990, inclusive

reel: ref2157_01 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
reel: ref2157_02 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
reel: ref2157_03 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
reel: ref2157_04 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Extent

4 Reels

Cuba/South Africa: After the Battle, 1990, inclusive

reel: ref2164_01 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)
reel: ref2164_02 (Material Type: Mixed Materials)

Extent

2 Reels

Cuba/South Africa: After the Battle, 1990 July 31, inclusive

Box: 97, DVD: ref978 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Language of Materials

This documentary is in Spanish.

Scope and Contents

This video contains a complete version of the documentary Cuba/South Africa: After the Battle.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Umatic. Duration: 00:58:51.

"After the Battle (English) 1st Cut", circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 39, Cassette: ref688 (Material Type: video)

"After the Battle (2nd Version)", circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 65, Cassette: ref1310 (Material Type: video)

"After the Battle 2nd Version R12", circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 61, Cassette: ref1372 (Material Type: video)

Papenfus, Johan: Interview, Airport, 1989 November 29, inclusive

Box: 39, Cassette: ref686 (Material Type: video)

Papenfus, Johan: Interview "Bump", circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 95, DVD: ref687 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Language of Materials

Portions of this video are in English while others are in Spanish.

Scope and Contents

This video contains various clips documenting the exchange of Cuban prisoners in Namibia for the South African soldier Johan Papenfus. The video begins with several short clips, and at minute 2:48 switches to an interview with Cuban soldiers talking about Papenfus. Minute 7:00-18:29 features an interview with Papenfus conducted by Estela Bravo. Beginning at minute 18:30 the video shows footage of Papenfus traveling back to South Africa, which makes up the bulk of the video. The video also contains short interviews with Cuban soldier Bernardo Heredia, who was held as a prisoner of war by South Africa and was one of several people exchanged for Papenfus. Two portions of the interview with Hererida begin at minute 22:15 and minute 44:32.

Historical/Biographical Note

Johan Papenfus was a South African soldier who was injured in the South African Border War and held as a Cuban prisoner of war.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Umatic. Duration: 00:58:01.

"Papenfus leaving airport", circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 42, Cassette: ref759 (Material Type: video)

Footage: Returning from Angola "Barco, Travelling, Raul-Risquet discussion, Sala Universal", circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 66, Cassette: ref1325 (Material Type: video)
Box: 86, DVD: ref1325 (Material Type: Moving Images)
Box: Electronic Records (Material Type: electronic records)

Video

Footage: Returning from Angola "Barco, Travelling, Raul-Risquet discussion, Sala Universal"

Footage: "Traveling, Poor Houses", circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 98, DVD: ref1274 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Language of Materials

This video is in English.

Scope and Contents

This video beings with footage filmed from the front seat of car traveling down a South African highway. It features footage of the car driving past poor communities on the outskirts of a city and then shows the car traveling into the city center. The second half of the video features of a hotel where diplomats from various countries including the United States, Soviet Union, and Cuba gathered for a meeting. The footage features several diplomats seated at a table in anticipation for the meeting.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Umatic. Duration: 00:12:41.

Footage: "South Africa, parts for the final edition", circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 77, DVD: ref247 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Scope and Content Note

This video contains footage from After the Battle including interviews with individuals discussing Namibia and apartheid.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Umatic. Duration: 00:25:15.

Interviews with various individuals (Cubans and South Africans) concerning the war in Angola, circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 82, DVD: ref639 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Umatic. Duration: 01:02:00.

Interviews with South African soldiers concerning the war in Angola (South Africa), circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 77, DVD: ref245 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Umatic. Duration: 00:50:17.

Park Central: Interviews, circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 98, DVD: ref1383 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Language of Materials

This video is in Spanish.

Scope and Content Note

This video features street footage of Havana, Cuba. It features footage of traffic and people riding bicycles. It also features footage of people fishing in Havana Bay. At minute 9:20 it features on-the-street interviews with several elderly men in a park. Estela Bravo asks them about Cubans living abroad, and the possibility of diplomatic relations improving between the United States and Cuba. She also asks them how the blockade has affected their lives.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Betacam. Duration: 00:16:23.

Park Central: Interviews about War in Angola, circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 98, DVD: ref1388 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Language of Materials

This video is in Spanish.

Scope and Contents

The first 30 minutes of this video features interviews with Cubans in the Parque Central in Havana. Estela Bravo asks about Cuba's support of Angola's war against South Africa, and the Cuban troops coming home from the war. Members of the crowd describe their understanding of the war and Cuba's reason for supporting the Angola. Many express their approval of Cuba's role in the war and speak generally about racial equality and the need to fight against apartheid in South Africa. One man discusses his reason for not volunteering to fight, and he argues with many others in the crowd. The second half of this video features an assortment of clips from footage in South Africa including a musical concert, short interviews with South Africans and Angolans, crowd footage, and Cubans who fought in Namibia. When footage is in English, Bravo speaks over the footage translating into Spanish.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Umatic. Duration: 01:02:32.

Reception for Former Prisoners - Angola, circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 42, Cassette: ref828 (Material Type: video)

Reception for Returning Prisoners in Angola, circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 95, DVD: ref819 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Language of Materials

This video is in Spanish.

Scope and Contents

This video includes footage of a reception welcoming Cuban soldiers home upon their return from Angola. The video begins with soldiers disembarking from a plane and shaking hands with Cuban military and civil leaders. It continues with footage of a military procession, and at minute 6:25 several speakers address the crowd. Speakers congratulate the Cuban soldiers on their successful mission in Angola and praise solidarity between Cuba and the Angolan people. They also celebrate Cuban solidarity with revolutionary movements across Latin America and Africa and talk about the memory of the Cuban revolution.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Umatic. Duration: 00:21:09.

Images of the War in Angola, 1998 November 18, inclusive

Box: 97, DVD: ref236 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Language of Materials

This video is in Spanish.

Scope and Content Note

This video begins with edited portions of the documentary Cuba/South Africa: After the Battle. The video also features some raw footage including Fidel Castro discussing military forces and strategy in Angola, and footage of Cuban and Namibian troops in training exercises.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Betacam. Duration: 00:13:16.

Footage: Castro in Angola, circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 95, DVD: ref738 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Language of Materials

This video is in Spanish.

Scope and Contents

This video consists of three separate clips filmed by Estela Bravo. The first portion features a speech to a crowd of Angolan and Cuban soldiers after the 1989 ceasefire between Angola and South Africa. The speaker is not filmed; instead footage focuses on individuals in the crowd including Fidel Castro, Angolan soldiers, and several children. The speaker praises the role of the Cuban military, the Namibian political party SWAPO, and international solidarity. After the speech Castro greets members of the crowd. At minute 16:17 the video switches to footage of equipment in an industrial yard and the construction of a truck trailer. At minute 18:49 it changes to footage of a ballet performance.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Umatic. Duration: 00:21:26.

Cacahual Memorial, circa 1990, inclusive

Box: 98, DVD: ref1384 (Material Type: Moving Images)

Language of Materials

This video is in Spanish.

Scope and Content Note

This video begins with a brief interview with a police officer in Guantanamo, Cuba. At minute 3:56 it changes to footage of a military rally at the Cacahual Monument features a military procession and public memorial to Cuban soldiers who died fighting in Angola. The video initially focuses on faces in the crowd, and starts and stops several times. Footage eventually turns to the speaker who celebrates the bravery of Cuban soldiers in Angola and the fight against the South African government in Namibia. He also praises Cuba's commitment to internationalism and support of people in the third world.

Historical Note

El Cacahual Mausoleum is a monument and resting place of Cuban military commander Antonio Maceo outside of Havana. It has become a national symbol to honor those who died during military service.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Original Format: Betacam. Duration: 00:20:55.

Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012