Shot in Cuba in 1994, ¡Luchando! examines how people were surviving the hardships caused first by the US "blockade" of Cuba (beginning in the early 1960s) and increased by the more recent loss of trade with the countries of Eastern Europe. The film portrays the everyday life, atmosphere and character of Cuba at the time of filming.
The central personality in the film is Abel Prieto, who is both the President of UNEAC, the national writers and artists union, and a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. The film features a variety of local performing artists including a dissident theater group in Havana, a more traditional African theater group in Santiago, and the film star Jorge Perugorria. Also included are street interviews exploring the range of the peoples feelings for their country, and contemporary Cuban music.
Made by Australian documentary filmmaker, Russel Porter was invited to teach at the international film and television school (EICTV) located some forty kilometers from Havana. While there, Porter took the opportunity to make a film about life in Cuba today. Apart from Russel and producer Denise Patience, the film crew was Cuban: cinematographer Alejandro Perez, sound recordist Lenin de los Reyes, production manager Elaine Santos, and local liaison Alex Alday.
The film is useful for Latin American studies, political science programs, cultural studies; theater, art, music, and human rights programs.