FROM THERON IN...

Charlize Theron, presumably hoping for an MTV-generation Buena Vista Social Club breakout hit, went off to Cuba to make a movie about Havana rappers who beatbox against Castro.

It hasn't not gone down well, with its can-of-worm opening apparent pro-Washington bias:

It has faced criticism for taking a rose-tinted view of the Caribbean island and for ignoring the effects of a trade embargo by the US.

But Theron insisted it was "ridiculous" to claim it was a political statement.

"I think in the film we really address the America-Cuba relationship.

"If there is any political comment it was through [the characters'] voices - it's their story not our story," the South African-born Oscar-winner said.

"In no way are we saying America isn't at fault here."

She added: "Do you actually think in America this is seen as a pro-American film?

"If we really made a film about the embargo it wouldn't make sense. It's ridiculous."

"If we really made a film about the embargo it wouldn't make sense" - presumably she means that it wouldn't make commercial sense to make a film about how the bullying and petulant strangulation of a small neighbour as a punishment-beating for having a different political system? Or just there's no sense in making a balanced movie when you could just play to the Fox News crowd?

The real disappointment, of course, is an intelligent, white South African who grew up during the days of sanctions and cultural boycotts couldn't find something interesting in the US blockade of Cuba to build into a movie.

music charlize theron cuba