By Prensa Latina
The Havana Film Festival of this city began today its days dedicated to Latin American cinema with a tribute to Cuban director Nicolás Guillén Landrián (1938-2003) at Hoftra University.
The presentation of In a neighborhood old, Los del baile and Ociel del Toa opened the debate on the narrative of what is considered one of the documentary filmmakers of the Cuban avant-garde of the 60s.
With the participation of the director of the Cuban Cinematheque, Luciano Castillo, and the film director Enrique Kiki Álvarez, the documentary Landrián, by Ernesto Daranas, was also screened for the first time in New York, dedicated to highlighting the almost unknown work of the protagonist of the afternoon.
According to the artistic director of the Havana Film Festiva, Diana Vargas, “Nicolasito’s” creations are characterized by their contemporary and advanced look for his time.
“It is a cinema of reflection and care. It is the look of a filmmaker who impresses with the depth he wants to communicate,” she told Prensa Latina.
Together with Tomás Gutiérrez Alea, Landrián will focus several of the parallel theoretical events in the 24th edition of the event that will have its opening night next Friday at the Cine Quad with an ambitious selection of films from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica , Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Panama, Uruguay and other countries in the region.
Since its creation, the contest has tried to get people closer to Latin culture from a much broader, more diverse and inclusive place than cinema and art in general, Vargas said.
After more than two decades bringing together the Latin and North American public in the city, the event has made attendees feel Latin America and the Caribbean beyond stereotypes, she added.
“People have understood that we are very different and that our wealth lies in that difference,” she insisted.
Another added value of the event is the participation of established and emerging creators who promote their work in direct dialogue with their audience.
With this objective, the Festival foresees the presentation and screening of the Cuban films La mujer Savage, by Alán González; Under a powerful sun, by Kiki Álvarez; A Night with the Rolling Stones, by Patricia Ramos; along with the Colombian Igualada, by Juan Mejía Botero.