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The inspiring story of Daisel Cabriada Díaz, a young boxer in Havana, Cuba who follows his true calling to become a magician.

DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Cory Martin and I decided to go to Cuba on a whim. We had just wrapped another Beautiful Destinations project, and we had never been to Cuba. I suggested spending the weekend there before heading back to the office in New York on Monday. On our first day in Havana, we heard Daisel listening to hip hop music right outside a boxing gym. Since I love to dance myself, I approached him and started dancing with him. Right off the bat we were able to communicate through dance and I felt a deeper connection to him. As soon as we stopped dancing, he randomly pulled out a deck of cards and started to perform magic tricks. To our surprise, he was an extremely talented magician as well.

After speaking to Daisel for thirty minutes, and asking him questions about his journey with magic, I said to Cory, “We should come back and tell his story.”

Three months later we both were able to find a week within our travel schedules to go back to Cuba, and attempt to bring Daisel’s story to life.

Due to the lack of Internet in Cuba, it was a shot in the dark if Daisel would be able to meet us and if he would be passionate about the vision I had in mind for the film. I was so surprised by how everything worked out. Daisel was a natural on camera and his best friend and cousin also became characters in the film.

This project allowed me to dive deeper into my own thoughts, and discover what I am passionate about. Once I found it, all other problems I previously had went away and I looked at life with such excitement and optimism. I hope those who watch this film feel that same sense of empowerment to explore new passions.

Cory Martin y yo decidimos ir a Cuba por un capricho. Acabábamos de terminar otro proyecto de Beautiful Destinations, y nunca habíamos estado en Cuba. Sugerí pasar el fin de semana allí antes de regresar a la oficina en Nueva York el lunes. Él aceptó de manera espontánea, y tomamos la decisión consciente de traer solo un lente cada uno, para poder andar por las calles de La Habana sin un plan establecido.

En nuestro primer día en La Habana, escuchamos a Daisel escuchar música hip hop justo afuera de un gimnasio de boxeo. Como me encanta bailar, me acerqué a él y empecé a bailar con él. Desde el principio, pudimos comunicarnos a través del baile y sentí una conexión más profunda con él. Tan pronto como dejamos de bailar, sacó al azar una baraja de cartas y comenzó a realizar trucos de magia. Para nuestra sorpresa, él también era un mago extremadamente talentoso.

Después de hablar con Daisel durante treinta minutos y hacerle preguntas sobre su viaje con magia, le dije a Cory: "Deberíamos volver y contar su historia".

Tres meses después, ambos pudimos encontrar una semana dentro de nuestros horarios de viaje para regresar a Cuba e intentar dar vida a la historia de Daisel.

Debido a la falta de Internet en Cuba, no estábamos seguros si Daisel podría encontrarnos y si le apasionaría la visión que tenía en mente para la película. Estaba tan sorprendido de cómo funcionó todo. Daisel era natural en la cámara y su mejor amigo y primo también se convirtieron en personajes de la película.

Este proyecto me permitió profundizar en mis propios pensamientos y descubrir lo que me apasiona. Una vez que lo encontré, todos los demás problemas que había tenido anteriormente desaparecieron y miré la vida con tanta emoción y optimismo. Espero que quienes vean esta película sientan la misma sensación de poder para explorar nuevas pasiones.

THE BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS TEAM
Director, Creator, Editor | Matias De Rada | https://www.instagram.com/matiasderada/
Cinematographer, Editor | Cory Martin | https://www.instagram.com/cory.s.martin/
Second Editor | Johana Hernandez | https://www.instagram.com/_lifeofhana_/
Producer | Oliver Gallini | https://www.instagram.com/treeolives/
Graphic Design | Susan Salinas | https://www.instagram.com/sus.salinas/
Social Media Manager | Meagan Bryan | https://www.instagram.com/meaganbryan/
Head of Production | Kate Balch | https://www.instagram.com/balchette
Art Director | Lizzy Cole | https://www.instagram.com/lizzy4391/
Creative Director | Emmie Nostitz | https://www.instagram.com/emmienostitz/
VP Content Creation | Tom Jauncey | https://www.instagram.com/tomjauncey/
Chief Creative Officer | Remi Carlioz | https://www.instagram.com/remi.carlioz/
Chief Content Officer | Gabor Harrach | https://www.instagram.com/beautifulde...

SPECIAL THANKS
Daisel Cabriada Díaz | https://www.instagram.com/mago_boxer/
Drone Footage | Stephen | https://www.instagram.com/the_sky_exp...
Sound Mixing | Matthew Smith, Ben Hale

MUSIC
“What’s up danger” | Blackway, Black Caviar
“Me Voy” | Cimafunk
“Say It Yo My Face” | Thutmose

Join the Beautiful Destinations team as we explore beyond the borders of this ancient kingdom and explore the unique worlds of its incredible people. From a trailblazing female archer to a conservationist who has planted over 100,000 trees, and from artisan papermakers sustaining 300-year-old traditions to dancers who move with the songs of centuries past, these are the stories of the people of Bhutan.

ON SONAM DEKI, BHUTAN’S TRAILBLAZING FEMALE ARCHER
In Bhutan, archery has become more than just the national sport — it has also become a platform for discussions on gender equality. As a female on the national archery team, Sonam Deki is challenging some of the country’s outdated customs and paving the road for women in the previously male-exclusive competition.

Deki and her team train eight hours a day, sometimes shooting as many as 300 arrows in a single practice. During competitions, they shoot at targets sitting 145 meters away (on the Olympic level, targets lie at half the distance). Deki has already made incredible strides since joining the team in 2014, but her biggest dreams — joining the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and becoming a coach — still lie ahead.

ON THE “MASKED DANCE OF THE DRUMS”
Drametse Ngacham, “the masked dance of the drums,” was once believed to have been performed by heroes of the celestial worlds. The vibrant masks of the dancers feature intricate details and elements inspired by animals — both real and mythical. The dance, a tradition passed down through five centuries, is considered an art form and is performed, to attract blessings, twice a year at the Drametse Ngacham festival — though it's also used on special occasions for good luck. It's thought to be a mechanism for spiritual empowerment and something the Bhutanese believe everyone should see at least once in a lifetime.




ON ATA SONAM AND A LIFE DEDICATED TO TREES
Atam Sonam’s dedication to the forests started from an early age. Though now retired, Sonam still devotes significant time to protecting and caring for Bhutan's trees. Over the last 35 years, he has planted more than 100,000 trees in and around the Thimphu Valley to combat the effects of climate change — last year alone, he planted more than 300! He is a shining light in the country’s initiative to keep at least sixty percent of its land forested at all times — an effort that has contributed to the country’s status as the only carbon-negative nation in the world.

ON PRESERVING ANCIENT PAPER-MAKING
While used countrywide today, historically, this extensive practice was only used to create scriptures and prayer books for monks. The paper is crafted from Daphne — a plant only found in the Himalayan region — and harvested sustainably to ensure regrowth. Over 300 people are involved in cooking, cleaning, and processing the plant to paper. The seven-day operation is truly an art form; its artisans train for 10 years to master the craft. And while using practices from the 17th century may not be the most practical route, this craft demonstrates the country’s steadfast dedication to preserving its heritage and — with its chemical-free process — also helps to protect the environment.

ON THE CULTURE OF BELIEF
Bhutan is a country of ancient tradition, of scared earth, of unfaltering belief. And while the majority of the population, almost three-quarters, practices the country’s official religion, Vajrayana Buddhism, its spiritual beliefs extend far beyond that — honored in traditions passed down through generations.

One such custom transpires along the winding curves of the Chele La Pass, 2088 meters above sea level. Patrons arrive to burn incense in offering and murmur prayers as they tie flags to poles that jut high above the dusty earth. This custom is performed to bring luck, prosperity, and peace to a family, its community, and all living beings in the world.

THE BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS TEAM
Director, Cinematographer | Cory Martin | https://www.instagram.com/cory.s.martin/
Producer, Shooter, Editor | Logan Lambert | https://www.instagram.com/loganlambert
Producer | Katie Rowan | https://www.instagram.com/rowanke
Editor | Johana Hernandez | https://www.instagram.com/_lifeofhana_/
Editorial and Copywriting | Nisa Sedaghat | https://www.instagram.com/theartoflost
Art Director | Lizzy Cole | https://www.instagram.com/lizzy4391
Head of Production | Kate Balch | https://www.instagram.com/balchette
Head of Editorial | Anne Marie Crosthwaite | https://www.instagram.com/beautyinthe...
Chief Creative Officer | Remi Carlioz | https://www.instagram.com/remi.carlioz
Chief Content Officer | Gabor Harrach | https://www.instagram.com/beautifulde...

SPECIAL THANKS TO
Ashik Bajgai and Bhutan Peaceful Tour | www.bhutanpeacefultour.com