“Avanza Cuba” examines filmmaking in Cuba
Independent filmmaking in Cuba was the topic of the latest episode of Radio and Television Martí’s Avanza Cuba (Cuba Forward), which aired on January 25. Hosts Karen Caballero and Alfredo Jacomino were joined by experts on Cuban cinema and filmmakers, including for the first time on Radio and Television Martí, those who are or have been sponsored by the Cuban government.
Guests joined the program in person, via Skype and by phone and included filmmakers Alejandro Brugués, Eduardo del Llano, Enrique Pineda Barnet and Jorge Molina; film critic Alejandro Rios; Cuban writer and photographer Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo; and Juan Antonio García-Borrero, an historian who maintains a blog on Cuban cinema.
The panel spoke on a wide range of topics including how working with cultural institutions impacts the creative process, how artists define “independent” in a media-controlled environment like Cuba’s, how independent filmmakers address the distribution challenges there,, and how the Internet and new technologies can be used to help distribute and even crowd-fund films..
Several clips were played throughout the show, demonstrating the breadth of talent represented on the panel. The episode is now available for viewing online.
Avanza Cuba is produced by Radio and Television Martí, to serve as an open forum offering Cubans around the world the opportunity to communicate, learn and share experiences in a united effort to move “Cuba Forward.” Previous show topics have included the future of education, social media, the law, religion, sports, economic development, small businesses, marketing, artistic freedom, and the Internet in the business world.
The Martís, based in Miami, are operated by the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, part of the independent U.S. government agency, the Broadcasting Board of Governors.