Many people over the years have commented on the parallels between the
cities of Glasgow and Havana. The enthusiasm for dance, music and film that
envelopes both cities has been often referred to, and no doubt led in part to
the historic twinning of the two cities 13 years ago this month. Tangible
evidence of the benefits of that twinning are on screen in Glasgow this week,
as the first Glasgow/Havana Film Festival opens.
The festival, brainchild of the Cubaphile screenwriter and director, Eirene
Houston, features at least three (count ‘em) UK premieres of Cuban films, Q&As
with well-known Cuban directors – including Fernando Perez whose La Pared de las Palabras premieres at the
GFT on 7 Nov, and Alejandro Valera who recently moved to live in
Glasgow. His Boccaccerias Habaneras
premieres on 8 Nov at Gilmorehill. It also features Houston’s own 2012 film Day of the Flowers. |
| Eirene Houston. Pic-Martin Shields |
Houston said at last
night’s opening, that she had been ‘in love with Cuba, since 1997. The people
are so similar.’ She herself worked at the film school in Havana and has built
up many film and TV contacts which became key to the creation of the festival.
The political links between the two cities are also covered by a film
and discussion night on Saturday 7, at Gilmorehill, Glasgow University. Glasgow
TUC Chair and UNISON official, Jennifer McCarey chairs a discussion on Socialism Reinvented, and two seminal
Glasgow-based TV productions are given a welcome airing – Barbara Orton’s 1993 feature
on Rolls Royce shop steward, Labour councillor and dance enthusiast, Agnes
McLean – In Cuba they’re still Dancing is
followed by Red Skirts on Clydeside,
the 1984 programme that started the reassessment of the role of Glasgow’s women
in red Clydeside.
 |
| Me Dicen Cuba - Alexander Abreu |
Other films that promise much include, Me Dicen Cuba (6 Nov, Gilmorehill) – the story of Cuba’s greatest
musicians coming together to record the title song of a documentary in support
of the Cuban 5; Conducta – the UK
premiere of the most universally successful Cuban film since Strawberry and Chocolate (5 Nov, GFT);
and La Pericula de Ana (3 Nov, GFT) a
film about a native Cuban actress and exploitative foreign filmmakers!
Couple all this with a celebration of Cuban food (in Stravaigin on 4
Nov), the launch of Rebecca Gordon Nesbitt’s book on the central role of Cuban
Culture – To Defend
the Revolution is to Defend Culture - (in the CCA on the 7 Nov) and to
make the cities’ links complete – a revival of the Club Cubana nights, Glasgow
used to see! (In Mango, Sauchiehall Street, 6 Nov). Full Programme is available
from the festival website, here.
You’ll find something you want to see, hear or eat/drink!
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