IMDb 6.9 2017 HD

Elián

Elián

2017
Documentary
108 min TV-PG USA
6.5 / 10
6.9 IMDB

The story of Elián Gonzalez, a five-year-old Cuban boy plucked from the Florida Straits, and how the fight for his future changed the course of U.S.-Cuba relations. Featuring…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Ross McDonnell / Tim Golden
Starring
Elián Gonzalez / Raúl Esparza / Fidel Castro / Juan Miguel González Quintana

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

compelling informative emotional political historical sensitive poignant insightful dramatic thought-provoking tragic resonant

Reviews

I
Isabelle Dubois
Apr 13, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This documentary offers a compelling look back at the Elián Gonzalez saga, a story that resonated globally. "Elián" adeptly balances the personal tragedy of a young boy caught in a political maelstrom with the broader implications for U.S.-Cuba…

D
David Sterling
Apr 13, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

The story of Elián Gonzalez is one that demands to be told, and this documentary attempts to do just that. "Elián" presents the facts of the boy's rescue and the subsequent custody fight with a commendable directness. Featuring…

S
Sophia Chen
Apr 13, 2026
4.5 / 5
4.5

A powerful and timely retrospective, "Elián" is a meticulously crafted documentary that excavates the emotional and political fallout of a singular event. The film’s success hinges on its ability to present the complex narrative of Elián Gonzalez’s rescue…

M
Marcus Thorne
Apr 13, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

"Elián" serves as a stark reminder of how a child’s fate can become entangled with international politics. The documentary presents the story of Elián Gonzalez's rescue and the ensuing custody dispute with a measured tone, allowing the archival…

E
Eleanor Vance
Apr 13, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

This documentary plunges viewers into the heart of a truly seismic event. "Elián" masterfully reconstructs the harrowing rescue of the young Cuban boy and the subsequent, politically charged custody battle that captivated the world. The strength of the…

FAQs

By leveraging personal testimony and drawing on extensive news archives, "Elián" aims to offer viewers a more intimate and comprehensive understanding of the pivotal 1999 case. The documentary seeks to move beyond the headlines by exploring the human element of the story, including the emotional toll on Elián and his family, and the broader geopolitical forces at play. It provides a platform for reflection on the complexities that defined this internationally observed event.