A Festival of Cuban Films

dublin | arts and media | event notice Thursday July 15, 2010 00:20 by Simon McGuinness - Cuba Support Group Ireland cubasupport at eircom dot net Cuba Support Group Ireland,15 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. 087 6785842

This is not just cinema, this is revolutionary cinema.

To celebrate Cuban National Day (26 July) Cuba Support Group Ireland and the Progressive Film Club are delighted to invite you to attend a free festival of Cuban films in The New Theatre, Connolly Books, Essex Street, Dublin 2, starting at 11 a.m. and continuing all day. This is a rare treat for Irish movie goers and Cuba aficionados alike, featuring no less than five Irish premiers of internationally famous Cuban films or films about Cuba. Take in one or two, or stay for the whole day, its up to you. Either way, you will acquire a rare insight into this dangerous and inspiring little country, its global significance and its indomitable people. This is not just cinema, this is revolutionary cinema. A rare treat indeed. Enjoy!

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

11 a.m.
LET THERE BE LIGHT (2005)
Directed by Roberto Chile. A moving account of Misión Milagro (“Operation Miracle”), whereby Cuban doctors restore the sight of people from all over the Americas. In Spanish and English. Running time: 12 minutes.

11:15 a.m.
ON THE SLOPES OF THE HIMALAYAS (2006)
Directed by Roberto Chile. The work of Cuban medical volunteers in Pakistan following the devastating earth-quake of 2005. In Spanish and English. Running time: 37 minutes.

12:00
FIREFLIES IN THE NIGHT (2010)
Produced by Gladys Rubio, Antonio Gómez, and Joaquin Castro. A short documentary about the role of Cuban doctors and other graduates of the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana in providing emergency medical support after the Haïtian earthquake in January. In Spanish and Kreyòl, with English subtitles. Running time: 22 minutes.
(This film premiered in Liberty Hall in May 2010 with a memorable introduction by Dr David Hickey)

12:30 p.m.
THE DAY DIPLOMACY DIED (2010)
Written and directed by Bernie Dwyer and Roberto Ruíz Rebó. This short docu¬mentary tells the story of four Cuban intelligence agents who sacrificed years of their lives to work undercover in “dissident” organisations―financed by the United States―and to expose their plans to destabilise the country. In Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 33 minutes.
(This film had its world premiere in the Screen Cinema, Dublin in April 2010)

2 p.m.
ODA A LA REVOLUCÍON [Ode to the Revolution] (2009)
Directed by Roberto Chile. A poetic and musical tribute to the Cuban Revolution. In Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 19 minutes.

2:30 p.m.
FIDEL: THE UNTOLD STORY (2001)
Directed by Estela Bravo. A unique and compelling view of one of the commanding figures of the twentieth century, featuring interviews with the man himself, family members and friends (and some enemies), together with some dramatic scenes from Cuban history. Commentary in English; Spanish dialogue with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 31 minutes.

4:15 p.m.
CANGAMBA (2008)
Written by Rogelio París and Jorge Fuentes; directed by Rogelio París. The defence of a village in revolutionary Angola in August 1983 by a tiny Cuban detachment, without food or water, against South African forces and Angolan collaborators, which significantly contributed to the defeat of apartheid. In Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
(An important film released to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the end of Apartheid. It describes for the first time in film the critical role of Cuban internationalists in freeing Namibia and toppling the racist South African regime. This is a story the west hoped would never be told and, for a quarter century, they have been successful in expunging it from history in all but those frontline nations who experienced the decisive impact of 400,000 Cuban volunteers who changed the history of Africa for ever. "The decisive defeat of the racist army in Cuito Cuanavale was a victory for all Africa. This victory … is what made it possible for Angola to enjoy peace and establish its own sovereignty … for the people of Namibia to achieve their independence … for me to be here with you today." - Nelson Mandela, 1991, Havana.)

6:15 p.m.
BLOQUEO: LA GUERRA CONTRA CUBA [Blockade: The War Against Cuba] (2005)
Written by Daniel Desaloms and Carolina Silvestre; directed by Daniel Desaloms. The origin and consequences of the economic war waged against Cuba by the United States since 1 January 1959. In Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 8 minutes.

7:30 p.m.
EL BENNY (2006)
Written by Abrahán Rodríguez and Jorge Luis Sánchez; directed by Jorge Luis Sánchez. Dramatised biography of the famous Cuban musician Benny Moré, including new versions of his songs performed by Chucho Valdés, Juan Formell, Haila, and Orishas. In Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 2 hours 12 minutes.

The Progressive Film Club is a voluntary organisation dedicated to showing progressive films from all over the world. Struggles for people’s rights, for the rights of workers, of immigrants, of women, for national liberation and for social justice are some of the themes of the outstanding films we have selected.

Admission free.

Ph:

Festival Programme 0.73 Mb