I’ve Been Shot Down Before,

Imagine flying a Cessna – a tiny civilian airplane -- across the Florida Straits only to find Cuban fighter jets scrambling to attack you, over international waters, no less. Sounds absurd—like most Cuban/American relations-- but that’s what happened in 1996, as told in the documentary Shoot Down.

In the mid ´90s, many Cubans set out for the U.S. on rickety rafts and drowned. A group of exiles calling themselves “Brothers to the Rescue” got together to fly planes over the ocean and save the peril-bound rafters. On February 24, 1996, two of the Brothers planes were destroyed by Cuban MIGs. Native Miami filmmaker, Cristina Khuly, lost her uncle in the debacle. The series of events lead to Khuly documenting what was for her family an exhausting ten years, as well as their private investigation into what happened.

Shoot Down makes its Broward debut Friday at Sunrise Cinemas Las Olas Riverfront (300 SW First St., Fort Lauderdale). Tickets cost $6 to $8.50. Call 954-761-9400, or visit www.sunrisecinemas.com.
Jan. 24-Feb. 7, 2008