2021 ‧ Documentary ‧ 90 min ‧16+

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This film came into being thanks to recently declassified documents. It tells for the first time a virtually unknown episode of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The threat of nuclear conflict was not eliminated by the Khrushchev-Kennedy negotiations. Indeed, Fidel Castro, who was not invited to take part in the negotiations, learned about them from the press, and was greatly hurt to see Cuba becoming a bargaining chip between the USSR and the USA while his own role was reduced to that of an extra. Castro vigorously stepped in and made his move. In a secret message to Khrushchev, he declared that he would not allow the removal of Soviet missiles, much less an American inspection, a necessary prerequisite of the Soviet-American agreement; that Cuba, left alone with its enemy, the US, would defend itself and would launch a preventive nuclear strike if necessary – if there is a threat of a new US landing. Khrushchev had no leverage over the obstinate comandante but could not admit it when talking to Kennedy. The only thing he could do was to send to Cuba someone he trusted, someone able to convince Castro. This person was Anastas Mikoyan.

He was accompanied in his mission by Roman Karmen, the legendary cameraman who filmed the Spanish Civil War, the Second World War and the Nuremberg Trials. Mikoyan’s mission lasted almost a month! Day by day, step by step, like a true psychologist, he talked to Castro and to Che Guevara, listened to their appeals “to die beautifully” and to destroy the enemy with a single blow and tried to convince Cuba to conclude a compromise for peace.

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Scriptwriter and director: Vladimir Nepevny

 

Producer: Arsen Gottlieb

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Film characters: Anastas Mikoyan, John F. Kennedy, Fidel Castro, Nikita Khrushchev, Che Guevara