Cuban Chrome

About Cuban Chrome

Cuban Chrome was a ground-breaking television series that aired in 2014, rich in both its social and historical narrative. Developed by Craig Piligian's Pilgrim Studios for Discovery channel, this show offered a unique glance into the vintage American-era car culture surviving in Havana. Cuba, due to import bans, ironically became a living car museum, making do with pre-revolution vehicles. The series delicately combines the dramatic endeavors of restoring these classic cars, constraints of resources due to the US embargo, and unprecedented access to the life of Cubans.

Making / Production

The making of Cuban Chrome is in itself an interesting journey as it was the first-ever American television series filmed entirely in Cuba, in a co-production with Robert Rodriguez's FactoryMade Ventures. The show met the bureaucratic challenges of filming in a country with a complicated relationship with the USA. It was filmed under a Cuban State Media Company with rights to operate news bureaus in Havana, thus proving to be a testament to international cooperation and the art of the possible.

Actors

• Demetrio Montalvo: Demetrio is an integral part of the A Lo Cubano Car Club who specializes in buying, trading and selling car parts. He is a veteran car 'doctor'.
• Fernando Barral: Fernando works with Demetrio as a mechanical specialist, who makes it work with limited resources and stunning ingenuity.
• Alberto Gutierrez: Alberto is a well-known car restorer whose expertise lie in restoring the bodywork of the classical vehicle.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The show is narrated by `William Levy`, a Cuban-American actor.
• It showcases the perseverance, ingenuity, and determination of its subjects to keep these cars running despite extreme scarcity of parts and resources.
• The emblematic backdrop of Havana and scenic landscapes of Cuba added a unique visual storytelling aspect to the show.

Awards

Despite its pioneering efforts and unique concept, Cuban Chrome has not received any significant awards as of now.

Quotes

• “In Cuba, an old car isn't just a car -- it's a treasure.”
• “These machines are Cuba, and keeping them running is not just a passion, it's a necessity.”

Music, Soundtrack

• It's worth noting that the series boasts authentic Cuban music, imbibing the cultural ambiance in its narrative. However, there are no official soundtracks released for the series.