Elián (2017): cast, story & where to watch
2017 · Film · ★ 6.5
Released in 2017, Elián is a documentary film directed by Tim Golden, running about 108 minutes. “A boy caught between two worlds” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The story of Elián Gonzalez, a five-year-old Cuban boy plucked from the Florida Straits, and how the fight for his future changed the course of U.S.-Cuba relations. Featuring personal testimony, interviews, and a news archive, this documentary recounts Elián’s remarkable rescue on Thanksgiving Day in 1999, after his mother and 10 others fleeing Cuba perished at sea, and the custody battle between the boy’s Cuban father and his Miami-based relatives.
Who’s in it. Elián stars Elián Gonzalez as Himself, Raúl Esparza as Narrator (voice), Fidel Castro as himself and Juan Miguel González Quintana as himself.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, Elián has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Elián page.
If you liked it. Fans of Elián tend to enjoy One Direction: This Is Us, Burn the Stage: The Movie, BTS World Tour: Love Yourself - Japan Edition and Senna.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Elián (2017)?
- In US, Elián is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Elián worth watching?
- Elián holds an audience score of 6.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy documentary. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Elián?
- Elián stars Elián Gonzalez, Raúl Esparza, Fidel Castro and Juan Miguel González Quintana.
- When was Elián released?
- Elián was released in 2017, with a runtime of about 108 minutes.