Cuban filmmaker Eduardo del Llano recently presented his latest movie “Vinci”, but with a subject matter that marks a difference in film production on the island: “I believe in a Cuban film that’s not afraid of touching on universal characters and themes.”
Alianne Portuondo is one of the principal actresses in the popular stage group “Mephisto Teatro.” She told HT, “The life of a young actress in Cuba is very simple, like that of any other young woman’s. The only difference is that our profession denotes a great deal of sacrifice in terms of one’s personal life.”
The young actor and filmmaker Daniel Chile told HT: “Although I’m lucky to have found my calling, I’m still trying to find myself.” His short “Tunel” will be shown in the upcoming Havana Film Festival in the Made in Cuba section.
Troubadour and painter Izael Carrazana has brought together his creative endeavors in both the visual arts and music. As Izael commented, “Recording has been less accessible to young singers on the island.”
We interviewed the Cuban actor of film, theatre and television Manuel Romero, who will be starring in an upcoming film release on the island, one dedicated to the youth of the famous Leonardo Da Vinci.
One of the top contemporary Cuban actresses is Susana Perez, who commented, “The reasons for a person living in one place of another must or should be personal, whether it’s because you like the climate in one place or have better job opportunities, or you want to be with this or that person or family.”
Bulgarian singer Yordanka Hristova had one of the most popular voices in Cuba that came from the socialist camp in the ‘70s and ‘80s. “To me, the Varadero beach resort was a 24-hour-a-day party with so many musicians, groups and singers from all over the world,” she told HT.
Cuban singer-composer Alexander Diaz was raised in one of those Cuban households where playing music was as common as sitting down to eat. His professional career began in the cabaret at Havana’s Riviera Hotel.
This year’s Leo Brouwer Festival, it’s third, begins tonight and will pay special tribute to important personalities of the music world. Stand outs on the program are the flautist Niurka Gonzáles, pianist Ernan Lopez-Nussa, violinist Fernando Muñoz, the Exaudi Choir, the group Synthesis and singer Augusto Enriquez.
The president of the “Cinema Plaza” film festival, Aries Morales, spoke with HT about this year’s event set for October 20-23. This woman of diverse responsibilities within Cuban culture noted that, “Only with debate and reflection will we be able to constantly improve; in this way we’ll someday succeed at making this the country that we dream of.”