A 2019 documentary exploring the extraordinary musical diversity of contemporary Cuba — from classical and jazz to son, timba, and electronic music — through performances and conversations with Cuban musicians working today.
Filmed primarily in Havana, the documentary presents Cuba's current musical landscape: the conservatory tradition, the street music scene, the jazz clubs, the popular dance bands. It captures both veteran musicians and younger artists navigating the tensions between deep tradition and contemporary influence. The film is less about history and more about the living state of Cuban music in the 21st century.
The film is a German production by Kurt Hartel, a physicist who made it on his own initiative and with his own money after his first visit to Havana and conversations with saxophonist César López. It was shot in Cuba from January to May 2018. Hartel talks to musicians and dancers as well as scientists and students; among those taking part are Bobby Carcassés, Alain Pérez, Yissy García, César López and musicologist Olavo Alén. In Germany it was released as La Clave – Das Geheimnis der kubanischen Musik.
Most Cuban music documentaries are about the past. This one is about the present — what Cuban musicians are doing now, how younger generations relate to traditions they inherited, and what timba and popular dance music sound like in the contemporary Havana context. For dancers learning about the music they dance to, this provides current context rather than purely historical framing.