The formerly forbidden island of Cuba and, in particular it's most famous city Havana, had better get used to the sight of American film crews because they are about to descend on the Caribbean island with all the force of a major hurricane. Since restrictions were lifted more and more businesses are seeking out the potentials of the still Communist controlled island.
According to CNN, not a whole lot of Americans are as familiar with the island as they might think. Cuba has been featured as a location in a lot of movies and TV shows but there was always a stand-in location because the island was off limits after Fidel Castro's1959 takeover. An embargo took place between the U.S. and Cuba so other places such as the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico. diplomatic relations have resumed once more and filming is planned others are trying to work out a plan to film of the island.
One of the first to try it's creative muscle in Havana is Showtime's House of Lies which stars Don Cheadle who has this to say, via CNN, about shooting in Havana "It's definitely so cinematic, the places to shoot are so scenic. You would hope there would be more crews here,if that works for the governments. It's a place that deserves to be brought onto the word stage." The producers of the show say that they have employed a Cuban crew of 120 people and that the Americans and Cubans got along fine on set. The producers of Fast and Furious 8 have expressed interest in shooting in Cuba so has a new series on Starz called Santeria.
There are difficulties that come with working in Cuba though. As the WCF Courier notes. the Cuban government demands script approval and they only want projects that portray the country in a good light. Another problem is that there is a lack of infrastructure in Cuba .Those big hotels and luxury catering services that Hollywood types love just don't exist on the poor island.They will eventually follow the money into Havana but for now any crew in Havana just has to rough it.The conditions didn't bother Kristen Bell, an actress in House of Lies, had this to say about her time shooting in Cuba, via CNN Don Cheadle article, "We don't have trailers, which I really enjoy,because it strips down the production to just it's bare necessities. We go into shops and sit with people.You just sit down with people and talk to them."
