MADRID, Spain.- The Observatory of Cultural Rights (ODC) denounced the censorship of Cuban filmmakers during the 43rd. edition of the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, concluded this December 11.
“The ODC condemns the censorship applied to renowned Cuban filmmakers by official cultural institutions, which monopolize spaces of this type in the country, leaving a scarce platform for independent and critical cinema,” the entity said in a statement. release posted on their website.
Just as he warned “of the kidnapping of contests and official institutions by the political police in matters that do not compromise public safety, but that serve to extend the power and possibilities of harassment and intimidation by this repressive body.”
The Observatory exemplified with the case of the film Vincent B.of Carlos Lettucewhich was not included among the works in competition
The censorship against this film was justified by the president of the ICAIC, Ramón Samada, who affirmed that “its director has publicly broken with the Cuban Revolution (…) He has used the presentation of the film at international festivals as a political catwalk to insult and attack the Cuban Revolution”.
The continuation of a film career outside the country, as is the case with Lechuga, has repercussions for those Cuban filmmakers who have been critical of the Cuban process.
The text also denounces the harassment of actor Daniel Triana Rubioknown as Danielito Tri Tri, who was watched by three State Security agents who “even took photos of him during the closing evening.”
Faced with this situation, the Cultural Rights Observatory called for solidarity with national filmmakers by foreign artists attending these festivals, as well as for international denunciation of the climate of repression and control that exists in them.
Receive information from CubaNet on your cell phone through WhatsApp. Send us a message with the word “CUBA” on the phone +525545038831, You can also subscribe to our electronic newsletter by giving click here.
