Cuban filmmakers in India receive special tribute

New Delhi, December 19 (RHC)-- Cuban film directors Alejandro Gil and Jorge Luis Sanchez and producer Rosa Maria Valdes received a special tribute at the International Film Festival in Kerala, India, the Havana embassy announced on Monday.

At the closing of the 28th edition of the film event, in which Cuba was the guest of honor, the head of the mission of the Caribbean country in New Delhi, Alejandro Simancas, stressed the importance of the event for cultural exchange between the two nations, mainly between the island and Kerala.

Simancas also celebrated the excellent opportunity of having a delegation and a sample of his country's filmography at the event.

He especially stressed the links with the state of Kerala, where there is always a special feeling of solidarity, sympathy and friendship towards Cuba.

Seven Cuban productions were screened at the film festival, including El Mayor, by Rigoberto López, Inocencia, by Gil, and Cuba Libre, by Sánchez.

The Cuban filmmakers and producer exchanged opinions with the public on the island's film production during the presentation of their respective creations.

¨Sobrevivientes¨, ¨La muerte de un burócrata¨, ¨Cuentos de un día más¨ and ¨De cierta manera¨ completed the Cuban program, which, according to the diplomatic source, was pleasantly received by moviegoers and the Cuban press.

At the Festival, ¨Evil Does Not Exist¨, by Japanese director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, won the Suvarna Chakoram award for best film on the aftermath of industrialization in a village. Uzbek Shokir Kholikov's debut film Sunday, about the life of an elderly couple, won Best Director and Best Asian Film, Kerala production Thadavu won the Audience Choice Award, and Anand Ekarshi's Attam won Best Malayalam (state language) Film. ¨Prison in the Andes¨, by Spanish director Felipe Carmona, won the Fipresi Award for Best Film in the International Competition category; Shruthi Saranyam with B32 to 44 won the Best Debut Director in Malayalam and Uttam Kamati with the film Kherwal received the FFSI - KR Mohanan Award for Best Debut Director in India.

Miguel Hernandez and Mario Martinez won the Sound Design awards for the Mexican film ¨Todo el silencio¨, and Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Zanussi received the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the film industry.  (Source:  Prensa Latina).