Defenders of Fidel Castro often point to the country’s post-revolutionary artistic achievements as evidence that his revolution is one that maintains integrity. Indeed, the achievements are considerable, and some of the best feature films put out by ICAIC (the Cuban equivalent of Canada’s NFB), are now out on DVD in The Cuban Masterworks Collection, a box set from First Run Features. The set includes Tomas Gutierrez Alea’s 1962 film The Twelve Chairs (yes, Mel Brooks also made a feature based on this same story), Julio Garcia Espinosa’s The Adventures of Juan Quin Quin, Humberto Solas’s Cecilia, Amada and A Successful Man, which is a personal favourite. Stretching from 1962–’86, this box set offers a crucial glimpse into the history of the seventh art in Cuba.

Also out this week on DVD is Clint Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers. The ads looked so gratingly jingoistic, I actually avoided this thing during its theatrical run. But I was surprised to find such a thoughtful movie, one that questioned the way in which wartime propaganda is employed so cynically. I loved the backstory behind the iconic photograph. And Canadian actor Adam Beach, playing the aboriginal officer deeply troubled by the ethically-questionable campaign, is superb in his role. Now in his late 70s, Eastwood is one of those rare directors who actually seems to be improving with age. It is even more astonishing that this is the same man who brought us something as insanely bad as Space Cowboys.

>> MATTHEW HAYS