Pavel Giroud’s powerful new film is set during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, when the Castro regime established Los Cocos, a sanatorium in Havana’s suburbs where all HIV patients mandatorily cohabited under military watch. Each patient was assigned a “companion” who would monitor the patient’s activities at the sanatorium and accompany her or him on rare incursions to the city.

Horacio (Latin Grammy-winning singer Yotuel Romero), a former Olympic boxing champion involved in a doping scandal, is obliged to earn his redemption by serving as companion to Daniel (Armando Miguel), a soldier infected by an African prostitute while on an internationalist mission—and one of Los Cocos’ most defiant patients. Despite the strained situation—and Daniel’s determination to escape—the relationship between these fallen heroes gradually materializes into one of solidarity and friendship.

The Companion’s well-structured screenplay provides Giroud with a rock-solid foundation, allowing him to focus on two things he does exceedingly well: building tension and directing actors. And the film’s leads, Miguel, already so impressive in Conducta and Melaza, and newcomer Romero, soar under Giroud’s careful guidance. With any luck, they’ll soar all the way to international stardom. – Orlando Rojas

This film is also a part of the Lexus Ibero American Feature Film Competition.