Lucas Garve, CPI
HAVANA, December (www.cubanet.org) - For the last 23 years, in the first
half of December, Havana has hosted the Festival of New Latin American Film.
In the beginning, the event was welcomed mostly by film buffs and
knowledgeable enthusiasts, but recently a more diverse audience fills the
theaters. Close to 300,000 paid to see the three or four films shown every day
for two weeks. Up to 2,000 could be seen waiting in line outside the larger
theaters, like the Payret and the Yara.
One may think Cubans hold an unusual affection for the movies, but more
likely the crowds come for the opportunity to see something other than their
daily fare of endless political propaganda and overwhelming material scarcity.
Most go to the movies simply to see a reality different from their own.
During the showing of a Chilean film depicting a sad story in an atmosphere
of dire poverty, many got up and left the theater. A Brazilian film, shot in
vibrant São Paulo, mesmerized spectators with a knotty detective story.
To boot, in Cuba, where lately it seems anything worthwhile has to be paid
for in dollars, this is the only really popular entertainment that is accessible
with the national currency; admission to a show is two pesos.
Some of the films start showing at ten in the morning. It is not unusual to
see people carrying water bottles and packed lunches in plastic sacks, or
sprinting to get a bite next door to the theater, only to duck back in for the
next show.
Some leave their homes in the morning and don't return until late at night.
They take a vacation from the daily grind. During eleven or twelve days, they
live in the movies.
Versión
original en español
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