Sons of Cuba

The Observer“Tears are shed and hearts are broken...” Reminiscent of the epic basketball documentary Hoop Dreams, this British movie takes a close, affectionate look at the Havana Boxing Academy, where black working-class kids are trained day and night by devoted coaches to fight for greater glory...

The Telegraph“A moving documentary...” As moving and insightful a film as you’ll see this year. Lang's film illuminates a system that for decades has produced sportsmen like winning boxer, Mario Kindelán, and artists such as dancer Carlos Acosta...

Guardian“Moving documentary...” These are some pretty scared and upset children we're talking about, but often their trainers look like scared children themselves. A spectacle of yearning and heartbreak...

The Times“Pint-sized pugilists...” An intriguing documentary portrait of the Havana Boxing Academy, which takes in nine-year-old boys with the aim of turning them into world beaters. The moving finale will have you weeping like a chump...

Time Out film“Sacrifice, companionship, grief and glory...” The sense of kinship between the kids and their caring, ambitious coach is deeply moving, as is the boys’ absolute commitment to their nation and its Commandante, Fidel Castro.

Little White Lies“Quietly belies a poignant truth...” Emotional but not exploitative, objective but not clinical, this is a top-drawer documentary...

Variety“Its real gut punch comes from its matter-of-fact observations...” One of the film's genuinely shocking moments sees the tiny swaggerers state with utter conviction that they're ready to fight off a rumored U.S. invasion. Lang shows admirable restraint throughout and keeps the focus tightly on his protags...

Total Film “Blood, sweat and tears...” Cuba produces the world’s most fearsome Olympic boxers. Why? Because training begins at 4am when you’re nine years old. What catches you at an angle is the political left-hook, as we watch Castro fill the boys’ heads with Communism dogma on TV.

Empire“Not yet reviewed”

The Independent“Not yet reviewed”