BASSETERRE, ST. Kitts – THE 2016 Latin Festival got underway last evening (Oct. 17) with a red carpet screening of ‘Forbidden Flight’ at Port Zante that attracted an audience of just over 200.
The screening, which was well-received, started shortly after presentations were made by the Festival’s Chairperson, Jose Rosa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Stanley Knight, Cuban Ambassador Hugo Ruiz and Film Director Rigoberto Lopez.
Set against the backdrop of Paris and Cuba, Forbidden Flight depicts a love story of a French national named Monique, who meets a Cuban while waiting for a flight to La Havana, Cuba.
According to Lopez, Monique’s flight was canceled in Paris due to bad weather and she meets Mario – a Cuban national - who eventually becomes her lover.
“On this one occasion we would show Forbidden Flight. This is one that I did in 2015 between Havana and Paris. Through that story I was able to express one point of view and culture of the Cuban reality,” Lopez told SKNVibes Entertainment.
Lopez declared that the film took just over one year in production and he is excited that the movie highlights “the reality of Cuba”.
He explained that the movie was well-received in his homeland during its premier and that it has made big impact at international theaters.
“What happened was the premier of the film was in Havana in March 2015 and after in different movie theaters in Cuba. The last opening was in April 2015 in New York at the Lincoln Center. The Lincoln Center of New York received the film and audience loved it.”
He however stated that one challenge for the film was its distribution, which he explained is that it is only now it has made its way into the St. Kitts and Nevis market.
Lopez stated that Cuban film makers do not have a great channel in which to exhibit their work, especially through the American market.
He believes that St. Kitts and Nevis has the potential to become one of the bigger markets for film production.
“For example, I have one project to shoot a film here in this island or another English-speaking Caribbean island. The name of the film is Rain and the project is up to receiving the reception,” he added.
In celebration of its seventh year, the 2016 Latin Festival is the Cuban Edition and it will highlight the culture of the people from that Spanish-speaking country.
Organisers of the Latin Festival are hosting a week of activities beginning on Monday (Oct. 17) and will culminate with the annual mega event on Sunday (Oct. 23) at Port Zante.
