The song Now, censored and banned by U.S. southern authorities, has become a historical lesson  (“I went and took a look - In my old history book - It's there in black and white - For all to see”); a hymn (“Every one should love his brother - People all should love, each other”); a war cry (“The message of this song's not: subtle-No discussion, no rebuttal-We want more than just a promise Say good- By to Uncle Thomas - Call me not real - Still I believe-We:-are created, free and equal”).

Performed by Lena Horne this song is like a strong hurricane wind blowing against the racial discrimination policy practiced by fascist authorities and institutions in the south of the United States. Waved like a banner throughout counties and cities, the song Now is a call to fight ¨now,¨ to truth ¨now,¨ to victory ¨now´ because ¨it’s time now.¨

Santiago Álvarez perceived in every phrase of the song a series of images that could be portrayed in a documentary film as short as the song (six minutes) but equally strong, heroic and accusing. The documentary has an uncommon strength that encourages viewers, while touching them by the realism of its denunciation.

The same way the song conveys a war cry in every phrase, the film’s images make viewers tremble.

The U.S. panorama marked by the recent persecution, harassment and killing of black people (Little Rock, Alabama, California, Chicago), has provided the images needed for the film Now!, in addition to the theme of the original song.

The documentary Now! does not limit to present trace discrimination as an isolated event of the U.S. political scenario. Santiago Álvarez alludes to the overall U.S. war-like race: Vietnam, Santo Domingo... Cuba. Now! shows the present time, everyday life in the United States: a dunghill behind the Statue of Liberty; slums under skyscrapers; demonstrations by black and white people demanding (now, now, now) their human rights and civil equality while facing bigheaded policemen, hoses and tear gases, trained dogs, imprisonments, injustices.

Now! features as an epic film; a sort of pamphlet; speech and live history.

The film is as categorical as a cyclone; necessary for the defense of human rights.

Translation: Dayamí Interián (Cubarte).