The Rolling Stones: Havana Moon (2016)

Genre: Musical

Directed by: Paul Dugdale

Cast: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ron Wood

Running time: 116 minutes

Following the US government’s decision to lift the embargo sanctions against Cuba, efforts were made to bring the longest reigning active rock band in the world, The Rolling Stones, on this island of the Caribbean as part of their tour of Latin America. The result of these efforts was a massive free outdoor concert attended by over half a million people.  

On The Rolling Stones: Havana Moon, we see a rock and blues band in great form performing 13 of their timeless classics on stage to the delight of the spectators. Many a smile could be seen on stage and in the crowd, and many Cubans gathered there were visibly emotional to be able to witness such a momentous occasion.

In most circles, we take music for granted, but when access to art is limited, it has to feel truly liberating to have it thrown at you in such grandiose fashion. As we can hear Keith Richards himself say before the show starts: “You ban something, you’re making a little more tasty”.

This concert, which lasts close to 2 hours, is prefaced by a short sit-down interview with the four members of The Rolling Stones, who discuss the process that brought them to Cuba and their experience there. Also, towards the end, we can hear each of them talk about what makes each of their colleagues so special.

The Stones put a lot of younger bands to shame. They manage to put ageing and egos aside and put on a great show. After over 50 years together, they still look like they are having fun. It is true that, in the old days, things were built to last.

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