Irish Documentary 'Here Was Cuba' Nominated for a Prestigious Grierson Award
Seeing off stiff competition, an entirely Irish-produced documentary on the Cuban Missile Crisis, Here Was Cuba, has been nominated for a Grierson Award.
The film, broadcast in the UK by More 4 under the title “Kennedy's Nuclear Nightmare”, tells the inside story of the Cuban Missile Crisis and how in October 1962 the earth teetered on the very brink of nuclear holocaust. It brings to life the three central characters Kennedy, Castro & Khrushchev and reveals how the world’s most powerful men fell into an abyss of their own making and what courage and luck it took to climb out again.
Featuring revealing interviews with key witnesses and experts including Sergei Khrushchev, son of the former Soviet premier and, in one of his last ever interviews, Kennedy's trusted advisor – Ted Sorensen – the film is an edge-of-your seat tale of espionage and intrigue at the highest level offering a fascinating perspective on one of the most harrowing times in modern history.
Established in 1972, the highly respected Grierson Awards recognise and celebrate documentaries from Britain and abroad that have made a significant contribution to the genre and that demonstrate quality, integrity, creativity, originality and overall excellence.
Each year a shortlist of 92 films is whittled down to just four nominations in each category. 'Here Was Cuba' is up for the Best Historical Documentary Award.
Reacting to the news, director and editor Emer Reynolds said, “John and I are absolutely delighted and honoured that 'Here Was Cuba' has been nominated for this most prestigious award, and are humbled to be among such talent as our fellow nominees. It is a tribute to our whole wonderful and committed team, who worked so hard to bring this story to the screen.”
Earlier this year Emer took away the IFTA for Best Editing on 'Here Was Cuba' and the film has also had a very successful international festival run.
'Here Was Cuba' was produced in association with the Irish Film Board, America's Public Broadcasting System PBS and Section 481 Irish Government Tax Incentive.
See here for more information on the Grierson Awards.
Directors: Emer Reynolds & John Murray
Producers: John Murray & Siobhán Ward
Editor: Emer Reynolds
DOP: Kate McCullough
Music: Ray Harman
Prod Co: Crossing the Line Productions