AREQUIPA, Peru – For about four months Cubavisión has been broadcasting the soap opera Be rebornwhich Cubans inside and outside the Island are also following on YouTube. The drama has been a success, with constant twists and extensive character development that is almost reminiscent of the much-loved Brazilian productions.
The soap opera also has a wide cast of characters who move the threads of the plot, as well as actors, more and less established in the medium, who give life to the script. Precisely among the least experienced on Cuban television, Andros Perugorría stands out, who plays Fabián Montenegro, one of the protagonists of the story.
About his time Be rebornthe young artist spoke with the channel Youtube Cuba Today +sharing details of his life and behind the scenes of television production.
Andros says he came to the project through the casting process. I really wanted to work after a period of pandemic in which few audiovisuals were made on the Island and consequently, there were few opportunities for artists.
Accustomed to the routines of cinema and theater, the actor initially hesitated about being part of the soap opera, but finally his passion for acting motivated him to accept.
“It was an opportunity, a new challenge. I said, ‘why not?’ In the end I am going to act and even if it is another language and another way, I am going to do what I like,” he said.
Although initially his character had a mixed reception from the public, little by little his conflicts and story gained greater traction among the tastes of the spectators, to the point that many now highlight his unique approach to the role of heartthrob, with a calm, mannerisms and special sensitivity that inherits more from traditional morals than from snobbery or fashions.
“The rich thing about this art, about what we do, is to surprise ourselves, it is to show not only a way of doing things or a type of person. We have in our hands the ability to show the quantity and variety of forms and personalities that exist in our society. And because they are less or different does not mean that they are not Cuban,” the artist highlighted.
In this regard, Andros, son of the famous actor Jorge Perugorría, said that the small screen in Cuba is lacking that plurality in content and representation, one that does not rely on stereotypes or formulas that, despite being successful, are sometimes repetitive.
Between other interiorities Of the six months of filming, the young performer explained that the sets were very dynamic, with a fast whirlwind and scenes that were recorded with hardly any pauses that forced the cast to be very clear about the progression of their characters. And as is usual in these productions, it is not filmed in chronological order, which means that an actor can do shots of chapter 3, 15 and also 60 one day.
“In the end the result is the tip of an iceberg. Behind each audiovisual there are many professionals who make sure that every detail is as good as possible.”
In that sense, Andros Perugorría spoke about the shortcomings in Cuba and the way in which they also affect television or film production.
“Economic problems do affect a large part of the bill for what you do, especially in projects as large as a soap opera (…) As this is an industry, in the end, television here works with what it can. Very low budget (…) Unfortunately, on television, specialists often have nowhere to draw. Sometimes you listen to their stories, sometimes they have to put money out of their pockets or lend their own clothes to be able to do things.”
“I tell you, I emptied the entire closet, which is not very big either, but I had to take out the little I had to wear my clothes on television,” he added.
At 34 years old, at the same time that Fabian has taken root in popular taste, the recognition of Andros Perugorría has also increased, who can already be seen in famous productions such as the film John of the dead, The Horn of Plenty, Fátima or The Park of Fraternity and, more recently, The Wild Woman.
