The maritime city of Gibara, in the eastern province of Holguinis getting ready for the celebration from August 2 to 6, Gibara International Film Festival, cultural event that reaches its XVI edition.
The festival arose after the filming of Honey for Oshunthe first digital film made on the Island with a low budget and a small team, released in 2001 as recalled in statements a Latin Press one of its protagonists, Jorge Perugorría.
???️?? Reunion with the Gibara International Film Festival
The Organizing Committee of the XVI Gibara International Film Festival announces its next edition from August 2️⃣ to 6️⃣, 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣#CubaIsCulture #SummerWithAll
????https://t.co/oBVO4U3NDT pic.twitter.com/XaBZVlQi7H
— Cubacine ICAIC (@cubacineicaic) July 14, 2022
“That reunion of Humberto Solás with the town that had served as the location for his masterpiece, Lucyadded to the experience of creating a film of this type, motivated him to organize a space dedicated to the promotion and support of digital cinema and with few resources”, he stated.
After the death of Solás in 2008, Perugorría, whose work transcended from his leading role in Strawberry and Chocolate, chairs the Festival motivated by the same principles as its founder. “Not everything has to happen in Havana. I consider important the existence of such a space in the east of the country. I would like to massify it, but with the participation of university students from Camagüey, Holguin and Santiago. That the people of the region have a cultural option of that quality”, he indicated.
The meeting currently exhibits a more inclusive character, with the participation of works from Africa and Asian and European filmography, and, on this occasion, also promises a varied international agenda.
“At the time of its constitution (2003) there was a marked difference between the cinema digital and 35mm, but now practically all productions are made with the first format. We promote the author’s work, committed, intelligent and that encourages thinking”, recognized Perugorría.
It also considers that the evolution of the city, until its declaration in 2017 as a tourist destination, is especially related to the course and development of the audiovisual event, a fact to which is added the incidence of the new generations, increasingly inclined and sensitized with that art.
“In its beginnings, the participants and most of the team had to stay in Holguín because there were no hotels there, and thanks to the impact of the event, the generosity of the Gibareños, their appropriation and affection, the first paladares and hostels began to emerge. “, plot.
Plastic artists and muralists usually also participate, donating works for the Museum of Gibararepresentatives of the performing arts and photographers, in “an endearing week where culture takes over the city and its inhabitants are the protagonists”.
The documentary filmmaker also expressed that the contest rewards the best films, not commercial or elitist ones, and seeks productions that speak of the everyday with depth and complexity, “to the extent that we are more visible, it allows us to select films with higher quality” .
What challenges does directing, channeling and returning the magic with which it was conceived entail?
“It is a great responsibility because Humberto did something very beautiful. To revive it is to honor his memory and represent those who are enthusiastic about, love and defend the space. The purpose is to achieve an increasingly sensitive, intelligent and movie-loving audience in Gibara”.
Did you ever think of moving the headquarters to another city with more infrastructure?
“Nope. I always say that Humberto’s last film was directing me at the Festival’s impulse. The event was his dream and it is also that of Gibareños, who consider it the most significant festival of the year. The most beautiful rug that I have seen in the world is that of Gibara”.
According to the actor from the island, the Festival is a parade of people, artists and guests, whose magic and essence is in that place and in its people, and aspires to the constant presence of cinema with the maxim of “being a dreamer to build the contemporary history of that locality”.
