Vienna, January 20. The Cuban film El Benny, directed by Jorge Luis Sánchez, will be part of the program for the Ibero-American Film Nights in Vienna, organized by the Cervantes Institute of Austria. It will be screened on March 10 at 7:00 p.m., as part of the festival that will take place from March 9 to 13 in the capital.
In its presentation of the event, the Cervantes Institute highlights that “Ibero-American cinema has its own voice and specific weight on the international film scene, not only because of the stylistic and expressive force that its creators have given it, but also because of the fascinating nature of its stories.” This week of cinema seeks to arouse the curiosity of the Austrian public and bring them closer to the stories and aesthetics of countries that share much more than common languages and histories.
“El Benny” (2006) narrates the life of the legendary Cuban musician Benny Moré. The plot follows the artist's arrival from Mexico, where he consolidated his career in the late 1940s.
With a running time of 132 minutes, the film has received significant recognition. It was awarded the Coral Prize for Best First Feature and the El Mégano Prize at the prestigious International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana. Its star, Renny Arozarena, was awarded Best Actor at the Madrid Móstoles and Locarno festivals. In addition, “El Benny” was Cuba's official selection for the 2007 Oscars in the category of Best Foreign Language Film.
The screening of “El Benny” will feature English subtitles, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience. This film offers a window into Cuba's rich culture and music, as well as the transcendent figure of one of its most universal artists.
(EmbaCubaAustria)