Cuban Women Filmmakers Showcase, March 8, 2013

Friday, March 8 – 7:30 PM
Co-presented by the Women in Film International Committee, the Cuban Women Filmmakers Mediatheque, the Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industria Cinematograficos (ICAIC) and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. Sponsored by Shangri-La Entertainment, Sean Penn, Shervin & Anahita Pishevar Foundation, Brad Horwitz, Cuba Travel Services, Hector Elizondo, Aris Anagnos and Harvey Vechery. Media sponsors are KPFK 90.7FM and www.cubanow.net. In-kind sponsors are SDI Media Group, Councilman Eric Garcetti, CD 13; Vanity Cosmetics, make-up artist Chelsea Senella, hair stylist Louisa Jovanovic, marketing consultant Pamela Rodi, artist Jane Goren and other generous individuals. Honorary Host Committee: Annette Bening, Laura Bickford, Jackson Browne, Lisa Cholodenko, Isabel Cueva, Benicio Del Toro, Hector Elizondo, Naomi Foner, Brad Horwitz, Penny Marshall, Mike and Irena Medavoy, Rick Nicita and Paula Wagner, Sean Penn, Shervin & Anahita Pishevar, Bonnie Raitt, Susan Sarandon, Andy Spahn and Dionne Warwick.
CUBAN WOMEN FILMMAKERS SHOWCASE, 90 min. Join us for an evening of documentary, animated and narrative shorts from Cuba’s preeminent female directors, writers and actors. These films make their U.S. debut here before the program travels to New York and Miami:
A poet battles writer’s block with violence in Adriana F. Castellanos’ “El Pez de la Torre Nada en el Asfalto” (2007, 3 min.). Marisol Trujillo’s “Oracion” (1984, 9 min.) is a documentary about society’s destruction of Marilyn Monroe…and Latin American youth. A quinceañera celebration sparks conflict in a Cuban family in Tamara Morales’ “Dos Hermanos” (2002, 21 min.). In Ivette Avila’s animated “La Costurera” (2010, 6 min.), a seamstress tries to mend the world. In Claudia Rojas’ documentary “Derecho de Ser” (2013, 14 min.), Queen Nzinga Maxwell speaks of pain and poetry. Marina Ochoa’s documentary “Blanco Es Mi Pelo, Negra Mi Piel” (1997, 20 min.) salutes 95-year old María de los Reyes Castillo. Yahanara Mauri’s animated “Itacas” (2009, 2 min.) looks at the island and the man as territories of isolation. Five kids confront the limits of existence in an old cemetery in Milena Almira’s “Quorum” (2009, 13 min.). Gloria Rolando’s documentary “Nosotros Y El Jazz” (2004, 15 min.) explores the evolution of jazz in Havana. Films in Spanish with English subtitles. Discussion following with directors Marina Ochoa (Blanco Es Mi Pelo, Negra Mi Piel), Gloria Rolando (Nosotros Y El Jazz), Milena Almira (Quorum) and Claudia Rojas (Derecho de Ser). A “Havana Nights in Hollywood” after party with performer Candi Sosa y Su Sexteto will conclude the evening in celebration of International Women’s Day and these talented filmmakers.

Official Website: http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/egyptian_theatre_events