Festival of new Latin American cinema begins in Cuba
Havana, Dec 9 (RHC) The 44th Festival of New Latin American Cinema began this Friday at the Charles Chaplin cinema in Havana with the welcome to filmmakers from 19 countries.
Tania Delgado, president of the festival, highlighted the richness and diversity of the Latin American identity and culture and underlined that the event is the realization of a great Latin American dream.
She took advantage of the moment to denounce the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people and called for healing as a pillar that must support national and continental filmography.
For his part, Alexis Triana, president of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry, recalled the history of its founding, created at the same time that the Cuban Revolution was born.
He also called to untie the knots, to dialogue with those who want the best for Cuba and its cinema, to find solutions to current problems.
The opening gala began with a renewed version of the musical theme Desde la aldea, by José María Vitier, which since its beginning has been the main soundtrack of the Havana festival.
Important figures from the Cuban musical universe participated in the gala, such Pancho Amat, Abel Acosta, Marcos Madrigal, and Bárbara Llanes.
The event also included the screening of the Chilean film Los Colonos by Felipe Gálvez, one of the candidates for the First Feature award and his country's submission for the Oscars.
At the ceremony, a Special Choir was awarded to the Ibermedia program, for its extraordinary support for 25 years to the development of Cuban and Latin American cinema through numerous film projects.
The Choral of Honor was also awarded to the Cuban actress Eslinda Núñez, 2011 National Film Award, with a long film, television and theater career in the Antillean nation.
High-ranking State and Government officials were present, including Deputy Prime Minister Inés María Chapman, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba Rogelio Polanco; the Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso, as well as representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited on the island, intellectuals and artists. (Source: PL)
