<El Maestro Saharaui> is a documentary chronicling the ordeal of those that travel between Cuba and Africa’s Western Sahara?the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. After years of living under Spanish rule, Western Sahara came under the influence of Morocco after the fall of the Franco regime. The film tells the story through historical footage of the Sahraui tribe that fled due to the war in 1975, how they set up refugee camps in the middle of the desert and declared independence. But the historical accounts only make up one part of the film: the real cost to real people comprises the rest. Post-revolutionary Cuba became the only country to support the Sahraui tribe starting in 1970, and with their help many young people from the desert were educated in Cuba. After their studies ended, they returned as so-called Cubarai to serve their country. The issue is the sacrifice necessary to make the journey. The scene towards the end when a Sahrawi man reunites with his son after years of longing for his family is heart-wrenchingly powerful. (RHEE, Soue-won)