Lucy Walker’s Afro-Cuban Virtual Reality Odyssey, A HISTORY OF CUBAN DANCE

A HISTORY OF CUBAN DANCE is the first documentary created for virtual reality viewing. Filmed in Cuba the documentary showcases how dance styles such as Afro-Cuban Santería rumba, mambo, cha-cha-chá, salsa, breakdancing, and reggaeton have shaped the culture of the country. Filmmaker Lucy Walker shares a clip from the film and discusses the future of virtual reality filmmaking in this Sundance edition of BYOD hosted by Ondi Timoner.

Guest Bio

Palpable and transporting, this live-action virtual reality documentary, A HISTORY OF CUBAN DANCE was filmed on location in Cuba and features Ballet de la Televisión Cubana. Organic, spontaneous, sexy dances progress chronologically through Afro-Cuban Santería rumba, mambo, cha-cha-chá, salsa, breakdancing, and reggaeton, with optional audio tracks reflecting the broader story of Cuban history as revealed in the dance moves.

Lucy Walker has directed five documentary features: Devil’s Playground, Blindsight (2006),Waste Land (2010 Sundance Film Festival—Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary),Countdown to Zero, and The Crash Reel. She has also made short films, including The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom (2012 Sundance Film Festival—Jury Prize in Short Filmmaking), and The Lion’s Mouth Opens. Her films have won over 100 awards, including an Emmy, and she has been nominated for two Academy Awards.