Beckett in Popular Culture by P. J. Murphy

Author:P. J. Murphy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: McFarland
Published: 2016-01-07T05:00:00+00:00

Similarly Smallwood, in desiring to be emissary to Cuba, “at this place, at this moment of time,” assumes this role (with Vladimir-like zeal) to “represent worthily for once the foul brood [read: the U.S., Western Capitalism] to which a cruel fate consigned us.” In the service of this singular moment, and despite mounting evidence that Castro-Godot will not be able to sit for an interview, Smallwood never loses hope of getting the Cuban leader on film: “I still have faith. I have faith in Fidel.” He sees that faith manifest in the very name of that leader, drawing a link between Fidel and fidelity. Castro as virtue.

Early in the documentary, the director, unsure of their efforts in Cuba, asks Smallwood, “Do you think he [meaning Castro] really knows us?” In their favor, Smallwood had been assured by Castro, whom he had met in Newfoundland, that an interview was possible: “Come down [to Cuba],” he tells Smallwood, “and we will help in every way.” Upon arrival, the offering of comfortable, even oddly luxurious, accommodations to the NFB crew suggested a meeting in the offing (“The Cubans certainly seemed to be expecting us”), while providing the perfect staging ground for the team’s preparations: “So here apparently we will wait, sorting out our questions, waiting for Fidel to drive through the gates.”

While waiting, they meet and talk with the Cuban people (who Smallwood naively asks, “[those] in favor of the revolution put up your hands”). The team investigates the country’s working conditions and labor practices; they debate the merits and failings of Socialism, and the effects of the revolution on the mental health of the people. All the while, they wait. And wait—“simply wait.”16 And while waiting, tensions develop within the group: “we argue constantly about what is natural in human society.” Similarly, in Godot: “We wait. We’re bored. (He throws up his hand.) No, don’t protest, we are bored to death, there’s no denying it.”17

The team begins to wonder if they are even on Castro’s radar? Vladimir wonders the same and says to the Boy: “Tell him … (he hesitates) … tell him you saw us. (Pause.) You did see us, didn’t you?” Smallwood, then, but not the rest of the NFB crew, snags an invite to a State function. Going to the dinner, Smallwood dons an ill-fitting, dark suit—the only suit he can find at the last minute (“I feel like a tramp,” he says); he mugs for the camera and shuffles about, pretending to walk into the event where he’ll plead his case to the elusive Castro: “All this is useless without you. We’ve got to have you. We got to have an interview, and we’re going to build the whole thing around you.” Castro agrees but is further delayed—just like in Godot. The Boy tells the tramps: “Mr. Godot told me to tell you he won’t come this evening but surely tomorrow.”18

Smallwood continually develops and rehearses his questions for Castro (about religion, the revolution, etc.), but we only hear those questions in voiceover.

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