Film · 2015

Viva

Name: Viva
Genre: Drama
Released: 2016-04-29
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 7.8
Cast: Héctor Medina Valdés, Luis Alberto García, Jorge Perugorría, Héctor Medina, Luis Manuel Álvarez

Directed by Paddy Breathnach · starring Héctor Medina Valdés, Luis Alberto García and Jorge Perugorría

1 h 40 min
15
Drama
Ireland Cuba
Released in the UK 19 June 2016

7.3 AverageMovieNCo
7.8 Users2 votes
6.9 Critics8 reviews

Watch trailer Where to watch · from £3.49 Rate it

Synopsis

'Viva' tells the story of Jesus (Hector Medina), a boy who lives in a pre-capitalist Cuba, who works combing the neighborhood ladies and fixing up wigs on a cabaret in the country. One day his father, a successful boxer (Jorge Perugorría) who gave up for dead, is released from prison and reunited with his son. They must share a home and start a new life together as father and son. A film directed by Paddy Breathnach and produced by Benicio del Toro. The cast is formed by Hector Medina, Jorge Perugorría ('Strawberries and Cream') and Luis Alberto García. This drama is produced by Irish Film Board and Treasure Entertainment, and distributed by Betta films. 'Viva' has participated in the Sundance and Telluride festival.

Drama

Where to watch Viva

All the options

Available now in the UK:

Apple TV rent£3.49

Availability checked on 8 November 2026.

The essentials

Runtime: 100 min1 hour and 40 minutes
Rating: 15Suitable only for 15 years and over

How long is Viva?: 1 hour and 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was Viva released in the UK?: It was released in the UK on 19 June 2016.
Who directed Viva?: Paddy Breathnach.
Who is in Viva?: It stars Héctor Medina Valdés, Luis Alberto García, Jorge Perugorría and Héctor Medina.
Where can I watch Viva?: In the UK it is available to rent on Apple TV.

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Cast

Full cast (9)

Director: Paddy Breathnach
Writers: Mark O'Halloran
Producers: Benicio Del Toro

Videos and trailers

See the video

'Viva' Trailer (English subtitles) 2:1329 February 2016

Photos and posters

All 16 photos

+8 photosand 4 posters

Reviews

All 8 reviews

7.8 2 votes

What the critics say average 6.9 from 8 outlets

9.1 Entertainment WeeklyLeah Greenblatt Havana?s crumbling trapped-in-time beauty also plays a starring role, but it?s Medina who provides the movie?s raw, tender heart. Read
8.0 New York TimesStephen Holden It infuses a too-familiar story with so much heart that you surrender to its charm and forgive it for being unabashedly formulaic. Read
7.0 The Hollywood ReporterStephen Farber Despite the predictable touches in the script by Mark O?Halloran, director Paddy Breathnach reveals a sensitive touch with the material. Read

Soundtrack

All 14 songs

Ojalá que no puedasMaggie Carlés Spotify
PerdónameGina Leon Spotify
Es mejor que tú lo sepasRosita Fornés
No voy a negarloLourdes Torres Spotify

Trivia

Sundance and Telluride

The film was on the Sundance and Telluride festival.
Santa Barbara's award

''Viva'' won the ADL stand up award on the Santa Barbara film festival, 2016.
Oscar Nominee

The film was selected as the candidate for Best Picture Irish Foreign Language Oscar in 2016, reaching up to make the cut list nine selected. Finally it was not nominated.