Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

As a continuation of the Academy’s program of ongoing educational and cultural exchange with Cuban film artists, the Academy partnered with the Los Angeles Film Festival’s Cuban Spotlight to present a special evening celebrating recent Cuban cinema.

The Academy gala featured film clips from all the Cuban titles showcased by the Festival and an onstage panel discussion with visiting directors. Hosted by Los Angeles Film Festival Artistic director David Ansen, participants (subject to availability) included directors Fina Torres (“Habana Eva”), Estela Bravo (“Operation Peter Pan: Flying Back to Cuba”) and co-director Benjamin Murray ("Unfinished Spaces") as well as cinematographer Raúl Pérez Ureta ("Ticket to Paradise" and "Suite Habana").

The program concluded with a screening of Cuba’s Oscar-nominated “Strawberry and Chocolate,” which centers on a young gay artist’s attraction to, and resulting friendship with, a committed (and straight) communist. This film was highly praised by American reviewers, who were surprised by such a sophisticated and frank treatment of politics and sexuality in a Cuban film.

Evening viewing hours were also available for the Academy’s exhibition “Cuban Film Posters: From Havana to the World."

STRAWBERRY AND CHOCOLATE (FRESA Y CHOCOLATE)

Starring Jorge Perugorría, Vladimir Cruz, Mirta Ibarra, Francisco Gattorno, Joel Angelino, Marilyn Solaya. Directed by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea and Juan Carlos Tabío. Produced by Miguel Mendoza. Screenplay by Senel Paz, based on his short story “The Wolf, the Forest and the New Man.” ICAIC/IMCINE/Telemadrid/S.G.A.E./Tabasco Films. 110 minutes. Print provided by the Academy Film Archive.

Rated R. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Academy Award nominee (1994): Foreign Language Film (Cuba)