The Villamil Family – Divided Lives

This story was commissioned for the exhibition 'Les Yeux Ouvert' at the Centre Pompidou, Paris. The Villamil family parted ways with their father Felipe in January 1980, he was thrown into jail for an unproven offense. Terrifyingly, in Cuba, a simple accusation and word of a neighbour is enough evidence to be proven guilty under the judicial system. After nine months in prison Felipe was given the choice to leave for the US along with 125,000 of Castro’s ‘undesirables’, (later to be known as Marielitos) or languish in jail for the rest of his adult life. He opted for freedom despite having to leave behind his wife and family.

From a detention center in Florida he moved to New York where he started a new family and struggled to make ends meet. Finally, in 2001, he settled in Los Angeles where he has built a new life, earning a living as a priest and drummer for afro-latino religious groups. Felipe never fell for the American Dream. He claims that Santeria has become for him like a job, whereas in Cuba it was a way of life. He still hopes that one day the government will change and he will be able to return to his roots.

“Sometimes I feel like I am only surviving, whereas in Cuba people know how to live.”

“People think that there is great wealth over here. It’s true there’s a lot of money, but to get it you have to put your fingers into the oven, and do you realise how hot that oven is?”

Meanwhile the family he left behind continues to draw strength from practicing Santeria in Castro’s dilapidated Cuba. The memory of Felipe remains well loved and respected, even though he has only been able to visit once in the last 25 years.

The story falls into two parts- Divided Lives: The Villamil family in Cuba and the Villamil family in LA, accessible from the portfolio menu.

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