The Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC) unveiled its slate of films for 2003 at the 24th annual edition of the Havana Film Festival of New Latin American Cinema (Dec 3-13).
ICAIC director Camilo Vives presented seven feature films in development, at least four of which are anticipated to begin shooting in Cuba next year with co-financing from Spain.
Of the four, three are musicals or music documentaries, including: Manuel Herrera's "classic musical" Bailando Cha Cha Cha; Jorge Luis Sanchez's documentary El Barbaro Del Ritmo about mid-century musician Benny More; and Arturo Soto's Ellos Son, about Cuban musicians from the 1970's.
The fourth is Gerardo's Chijona's Perfect Wrong Love (Perfecto Amor Equivocado), a comedy long in development with Spain's Wanda Vision now set to star Sancho Gracia (800 Bullets) and Luis Alberto Garcia (Things I Left In Havana).
Vives mentioned three other new projects in development: Orlando Rojas' Viaje A La Habana; Madrigal, from director Fernando Perez (Life Is To Whistle); and Manuel Perez Paredes' Paginas Del Diario De Mauricio, which participated in a script competition at the Havana festival. Vives added that ICAIC will produce at least 250 minutes' worth of animated films in 2003.
Recent Cuban films anticipating release in 2003 include Fernando Perez's Suite Habana, Juan Carlos Tabio's Aunque Estes Lejos, Enrique Colina's Entre Ciclones and Rigoberto Lopez's Roble De Olor.
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