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Cuba Libre, Parts I and II
Rating: 3 Stars
Produced and directed by Ginetto di Masolo. Written by Steve Cadro. Videography by Steve Cadro, Jasz, and Smokey. Edited by Jasz at Fokusz-Studio, Budapest. Music by Bolage and Tota. Starring Vladimir, Madev, Michel, Franco, Neo, Manuel, Pimpi, Rocco, Cuchy, Tango, Lachi, Rafael, Junior, El Volcano, Mosoly Peti, Akos, Bogio, Laslo, Hran, Thomas, and Tito.
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Stefan Korda, the Hungarian artist, poet, and arts administrator who dabbled in gay male erotica under the name Steve Cadro, was murdered by one of his models in March 2000. He left behind an inventory of finished videos awaiting release and unfinished projects in various stages of completion. Cuba Libre contains location footage and at least one sex scene that may have been shot under Cadro's supervision shortly before his death. Most of this footage, however, was created later by Ginetto di Masolo, presumably following Cadro's specifications. (On the box, Steve Cadro is named as co-director and director of photography, a clear impossibility; on screen, he just receives a writing credit.)

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The story is untidy and-- stretched over two volumes-- overextended. But most of the models are well cast, some of the sex catches fire, and the Cuban location work has a tangy authenticity. At the opening, Vladimir (a Latino model, maybe Cuban, despite the name) is caught having sex with his friend Lachi by a family member who throws both young men out of the house. They hitchhike to Havana where, some time later, Vladimir becomes involved with Madev, a stunning Hungarian tourist.

Complications ensue when Vladimir is picked up by the police and sexually roughed up. Eventually Vladimir and Madev are reunited for an afternoon of concupiscent bliss, during which Vladimir pulls Madev's shorts down with his teeth, and they progress from mutual blowjobs to reciprocal fucking. The most effective sex segment, however, occurs in the middle of Cuba Libre I, when Vladimir and two Cuban friends dance their way out of their clothes and fall into a passionate three-way. The episode may be di Masolo's contribution, but Cadro would have approved.