Lorenzo DeStefano speaks with MB Hanrahan about his new book, The Magic Hour (La Hora Mágica), published by Amara Press in London.
DeStefano—a multi-disciplinary artist, photographer, playwright, filmmaker, and author—shares insights into his extensive travels to Cuba between 1993 and 1998, a challenging period following the fall of communism known as the “Special Period.”
The book features 123 black-and-white photographs and a 12,000-word narrative recounting his cross-country journeys across Cuba.
DeStefano explains how the project grew out of an earlier exhibition at the National Library in Havana and highlights the deep resilience, warmth, and hospitality of everyday country people he encountered.
He also touches upon his broader artistic connections to Cuba, including his documentary Los Zafiros about a famous Cuban pop group, cultural diplomacy, and his local ties to the arts community in Ventura, CA.
TV broadcast week beginning 10/18/26
Producer: George Alger
Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org
Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com