Palmerston North, 23 September 2026. The Ambassador of Cuba to New Zealand, Luis Ernesto Morejón, joined the opening of the 24th Latin American Film Festival in Palmerston North with a screening of the Cuban film El Benny, directed by Jorge Luis Sánchez.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Morejón highlighted that the Festival has become much more than a series of film screenings. It is a meeting place where cultures come together, conversations begin, friendships grow, and cinema helps audiences understand other societies and how they have changed over time.
He expressed the Embassy of Cuba's sincere gratitude to Mayor Grant Smith and the Palmerston North City Council for their continued support, and warmly acknowledged Professor Cynthia J. White, Massey University, and particularly the teachers and students of its Spanish Programme for their contribution to the Festival and to the promotion of Spanish and Latin American cultures.
The Ambassador also acknowledged Bishop John Adams and the Ambassadors of Colombia and Canada, with a special recognition of Colombia for coordinating this year's Festival.
El Benny, directed by Jorge Luis Sánchez, tells the story of Benny Moré, one of the greatest cultural icons in Cuban history, affectionately known as El Bárbaro del Ritmo — The Barbarian of Rhythm.
The film portrays a remarkable musician whose talent was largely self-taught and whose extraordinary ear, unmistakable voice, and mastery of son, bolero, mambo, guaracha, and other Cuban rhythms made him one of the most influential and beloved figures in Cuban musical history.
Ambassador Morejón invited audiences to view the film on two levels: first, as the story of an extraordinary artist and, above all, as the story of a human being with virtues, flaws and personal struggles; and secondly, as a window into Cuban society in the 1950s.
He noted that some of the relationships and behaviours portrayed in the film reflect the patriarchal attitudes of that historical period and should therefore be understood within their specific social and cultural context.
The Ambassador also highlighted the profound transformation in the position of women in Cuban society over the decades, including developments in education, employment, political participation and legislation.
In this sense, he described El Benny not only as a film about music, but also as an opportunity to reflect on social change, cultural identity and the transformation of society.
He concluded by inviting the audience to enjoy Benny Moré's extraordinary music and story while discovering, through his life, something of the soul of Cuba and the journey Cuban society has travelled.