Vienna, September 23. The Ibero-American Film Nights organized by the Cervantes Institute in Vienna began today with the screening of the Cuban film “Buscando a Casal” (Looking for Casal), attended by the Austrian public, Cuban residents, international officials, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Vienna.
During the opening gala, Ms. Mila Crespo Picó, Director of the Cervantes Institute in Vienna, thanked the Cuban Embassy for its close collaboration and for the opportunity to open the Ibero-American Film Nights with a film of such high quality. She emphasized that critics agree that Julián del Casal is the Spanish-American poet who most originally anticipated the technical and verbal splendor of Rubén Darío's Prosas profanas.
Ambassador Pablo Berti Oliva dedicated his introduction to highlighting the cultural value of the film, which revisits some essential themes in the biography of the controversial poet Julián del Casal, namely: the freedom of the artist, rebellion against the power of the Spanish government, and the validation of friendship.
“The feature film we will enjoy tonight is full of energy in its visuals and staging. In the words of its director: ‘Casal did not deserve a predictable film, but rather a work that would make people think, because returning to the past is also a way of seeing the present and the future,’” he said.
The film was very well received by a full house, and several attendees expressed interest in learning more about the work of Casal and other Cuban modernists, including José Martí. This feature film competed in the 41st International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana and was Cuba's entry for Best International Film at the 93rd Academy Awards. It also competed in the Best Ibero-American Film category at the 35th Goya Awards.
With the screening of the film Buscando a Casal and Cuba's participation in the Long Night of Interculturality, September 23 marks the start of the Cuban Embassy in Austria's program to celebrate Cuban Culture Day, which is commemorated every year on October 20.
(EmbaCubaAustria)