Film Lens
Tent City tells the story of Cuban refugees who arrived in Miami during the Mariel Boatlift in 1981. The film focuses on their experiences living in an improvised camp in the city, where men and women, along with individuals of different sexual orientations, cohabited in close quarters. The living arrangements were marked by cloth curtains that created makeshift divisions between beds, illustrating the intimate yet chaotic nature of their new lives.
The documentary captures the complexities of the refugee experience during a significant political event in Cuba's history. It presents a raw view of the conditions in which these individuals lived, emphasizing the communal aspects of their existence while also hinting at the underlying tensions that arose from such proximity. The film serves as a historical record of the Mariel Boatlift and its impact on both the refugees and the Miami community.
Why Watch
- •See the living conditions of Cuban refugees in 1981 Miami.
- •Meet diverse individuals from the Mariel Boatlift.
- •Find out how makeshift camps were organized in urban settings.
Did You Know
•The Mariel Boatlift occurred in 1981, bringing thousands of Cubans to Miami.
•Tent City housed men, women, and LGBTQ individuals in a shared space.
•The camp was improvised with cloth curtains acting as walls between beds.
•The documentary has a runtime of 31 minutes.
Perfect For
Cuban migration history1980s Miami cultureLGBTQ refugee stories