Call Me Waya

A Film by Charles Abelmann

About the film

Call Me Waya trata sobre un artista  octogenario, autodidacta y “outsider” que vive en la pequeña ciudad de Remedios, Cuba. A pesar de su edad, Wayacon es prolífico produciendo obras fantásticas y naif que a menudo incorporan materiales que va encontrando a su paso, lo cual es necesario en el contexto de escasez generalizada en Cuba. La película muestra gran parte de la extensa obra de Wayacón, su lucha contra la adicción a sustancias, y la relación volátil con su familia. El film también destaca el papel de Sandra Levinson, del Centro de Estudios Cubanos, en la difusión del arte cubano en los Estados Unidos y el mundo.

Call Me Waya is about an octogenarian, self taught “outsider” artist living in the small town of Remedios, Cuba. Despite his age, he is prolific, producing fantastical, childlike work that often incorporates found materials, a necessary approach reflecting the state of widespread scarcity in Cuba. The film shows much of Wayacón’s extensive body of work, his struggle with substance abuse, his volatile relationship with his family, and the role of Sandra Levinson of the Center for Cuban Studies in bringing Cuban art to the United States and beyond. 

Watch the Film

CALL ME WAYA is part of the New Day Collection

It is available for viewing on New Day and Kanopy

Click the icons below to watch the film

About Wayacón

Julian Espinosa Rebollido is a Cuban "primitive/outsider" artist commonly known as Wayacón. As an outsider artist, he has not had formal training, does not create for a particular audience, and often uses non-traditional or found materials. He has spent most of his life between the towns of Remedios, Santa Clara and Cienfuegos. His home in Remedios is a living gallery of his art on the outskirts of a small colonial town. He is surrounded by his dog, cat, chickens and his goat. He loves his garden and rarely leaves his home. He has always created art and does not recall a time when he did not. He often works at night and sleeps little. He reports not having schooling past third grade. Wayacón's birth year has been debated to be somewhere between 1931 and 1941, contributing to his enigmatic presence.

About The Director

Charles Abelmann is an educational leader and researcher who directs and produces documentary films. His award winning film ENGLISH HUSTLE (2023) chronicles the rise and fall of the online tutoring industry in China. The film chronicles the role of English in China since the Opium War as context for current Chinese policies and new restrictions. The film shows the power of language instruction in fostering cultural connection. He directed CALL ME WAYA (2025), a short documentary about an octogenarian Cuban artist that highlights the Outsider Art movement, creative productivity in older adults, and the scarcity issue in Cuba. Both films are part of the New Day Collection and streaming on Kanopy. He recently completed short film pieces for the World Bank, EVERY ID IN MOZAMBIQUE (to raise awareness about people with no identification who lack birth certificates in Mozambique. He worked at the World Bank for over a decade managing education projects in China and in other countries. He also has led public and private schools including the Laboratory Schools at the University of Chicago where he was also a lecturer. He holds an AB from Duke University and MA and EdD from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Reception of the Film

  • Samuel Riera, Director of Riera Studio and Art Brut Project Cuba

    "How does one explain the challenge that a wajacón fish poses when it wants to let go of its tail and jump on all fours out of the water? The life of this hunter of ideas is an extension of the singularity of some men, who, through a simple and casual expression, has become a visual narrator of the fantasy and folklore of the Cuban countryside. "Call Me Waya" represents a magnificent approach to the "outsider" life of this artist through a visual journey of his work and testimonies about his life, managing to highlight the genius of his visual inventiveness in constant struggle with the challenges and shadows that have haunted him throughout his life."

    "¿Cómo explicar el desafío que pretende un wajacón cuando quiere soltar la cola para saltar en cuatro patas fuera del agua? La vida de este cazador de ideas es una prolongación de la singularidad de algunos hombres, quien, a través de una expresión simple y desenfadada, se ha convertido en un narrador visual de la fantasía y folclore de los campos cubanos. “Call Me Waya” representa un magnífico acercamiento a la vida “outsider” de este artista a  través de un recorrido visual por su obra y por testimonios sobre su vida, logrando resaltar la genialidad de su inventiva visual en constante lucha con los desafíos y sombras que le han perseguido durante toda su vida."

  • Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford Co-Director Floating Museum and Associate Professor at Indiana University Northwest

    "CALL ME WAYA is a compelling portrait of self-taught Cuban artist Wayacon, weaving together themes of creative resilience, the realities of his context, and a lifetime of work on the fringes of the art world. The film resonates with broad audiences and students alike, showcasing Wayacon’s ability to transform discarded materials into profound expressions of life and memory."

    “DIME WAYA es un retrato cautivador del artista cubano autodidacta Wayacón, que entrelaza temas de resiliencia creativa, las realidades de su contexto y una vida de trabajo al margen del mundo artístico. La película conecta con un público amplio y con estudiantes, mostrando la capacidad de Wayacon para transformar materiales desechados en profundas expresiones de vida y memoria.”

  • Julieta Ogaz Art History Profesor at Universidad de los Andes Chile

    "This documentary by Charles Abelmann offers an intimate look at Cuban artist Julián Espinosa Rebollido, Wayacón, or simply Waya, exploring his art and his colorful creative universe. The piece transports us from the octogenarian artist's precarious workshop to his connection with his Cuban childhood, his friendships, his naive imagination, and the scars of his personal history, which have marked his career (and that of his family). Through visual contrasts, Abelmann highlights the lights and shadows of Waya and his surroundings, in a Cuba that treasures its culture and its people while trying to connect with an outside world that, despite offering new opportunities, has also lost some of its innocence."

    "Este documental de Charles Abelmann ofrece una mirada íntima al artista cubano Julián Espinosa Rebollido, Wayacón o simplemente Waya, explorando su arte y su colorido universo creativo. La pieza nos transporta desde el precario taller del octogenario artista hasta su vínculo con la infancia cubana, sus amistades, su imaginario naíf y las cicatrices de su historia personal, que han marcado su trayectoria (y la de su familia). A través de contrastes visuales, Abelmann evidencia las luces y sombras de Waya y su entorno, en una Cuba que atesora su cultura y su gente mientras intenta conectarse con un mundo exterior que—aunque ofrece nuevas oportunidades—también ha perdido parte de su ingenuidad."

  • Brenda Colling, Textile Designer and Collector Collector

    “The film profiles the life of Wayacon, a Cuban artist in a category all his own.  A lack of academic training has not hindered his prolific creativity.  And despite a turbulent life, he continues to inspire many established artists, both in Cuba and abroad. Myself included.”

    “La película retrata la vida de Wayacón, un artista cubano con una trayectoria única. La falta de formación académica no ha mermado su prolífica creatividad. Y a pesar de una vida turbulenta, sigue inspirando a muchos artistas consagrados, tanto en Cuba como en el extranjero, yo incluida.”

  • Chelsea McCracken, Suntree Community St. Johns, Michigan

    On behalf of the residents who had the joy and privilege of watching “Call me Waya”, we extend our deepest gratitude.

    The story was not only moving but also a powerful reminder of how art can bring people together, uplift communities, and transform lives. It resonated deeply with everyone who attended, sparking meaningful reflection and conversation.

    A special thank you, Yeno for sharing this experience with us. Your presence made the viewing even more memorable.

    Thank you for bringing this beautiful piece of art and humanity into our lives.

Meet the Team

  • Emilia Toledo

    Co-Producer

  • Yenobis Delgado

    Co-Producer, Composer

  • Raul Ernesto Gutierrez Garcia

    Cinematographer and Sound

  • Agustin Donoso

    Editor

  • Jose Ernesto Aparicio Ferrera

    Cinematographer

  • Edson Guillermo Benitez Martinez

    Field Producer and Researcher

  • Catherine Murphy

    Consulting Producer

  • Artima Salkulkoo

    Assistant Cinematographer