HOTEL
NATIONAL – HAVANA, CUBA

Cuban
audiences cheered the performance of Benicio del Toro as Ernesto
“Che” Guevara in two films director Steven Soderbergh has made about
the iconic Cuban guerrilla figure.  Del Toro also produced the films.

“A circle is closing and it seemed it was difficult to close the circle.
I’m very pleased that it could be done and the Cuban people can see the
film,” said Del Toro to the press shortly after the film was screened to
the public at Havana’s popular Yara theater.

Cuban audiences showed great enthusiasm for all of the characters in the film,
not just Che.  Cheers and laughter went to Demian Bichir’s portrayal of
Fidel Castro and Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro in his role as Raul Castro.

 In comments before the films’ showing, the Puerto Rican actor expressed
thanks to the Cuban Film Institute and the Center of Studies about Che, saying
that they had done “most of the work” that can be seen in the films.
“It’s a privilege to be here presenting the film,” said Del Toro amid
an enthusiastic ovation.

The
30th annual Latin American Film Festival of Havana — or more simply, the
Habana Film Festival — features 114 competing films from 14 countries in the
region and elsewhere.

The Habana Film Festival (www.habanafilmfestival.com)
continues through Friday.  Please return to Movietimes.com for continued
coverage.

Popularity: 1% [?]