FILM REVIEW

Young Chang

Sylvia Morini, the 68-year-old focus of the documentary “Our House in

Havana,” impacts her viewers like she’s an actress in a movie. She’s

funny, reasonable and, best of all, real.

Her story of returning to Havana, Cuba, after about 40 years of living

in the United States is an attention grabber. Director Stephen Olsson

shows segments of Morini’s childhood in a dreamlike, pre-revolution Cuba.

Castro’s reign eventually drives Morini and her family to leave for the

U.S.

She lives a happy, normal life here and decides to visit her home

country for the first time. The old house has turned into a bank. A

security guard is stubborn about not letting her walk the grounds.

Buildings that were once beautiful are now decrepit and parts of the

country surprise her while others match what she saw in her reminiscing

throughout the decades.

In 58 minutes, “Our House” tells a moving and thorough story of a

woman’s return home.

* * “Our House in Havana” screens 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Edwards

Island 7 Cinemas.