 Carmen takes to the stage with her friends Mercedes and Francesca- it is the biggest event of the year.A short while later on the Cuban coast, whilst the festival is still in full swing, Carmen, her cousin Carlos, and friends Tito, Juan and Pepe are preparing to leave Cuba by boat and flee to America.Lilas, knowing that Carmen can only ever hope to fulfill her dream of becoming a singer in America, had faultlessly organised their escape.