Havana Film Festival 2021
The Havana Film Festival NY (www.HFFNY.com), a project of The American Friends of the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, returned to theaters from November 5 through November 11th to present an exceptional program of 32 films celebrating the diversity of voices and cultural expressions of Ibero =America and its diaspora. All screenings, panels, and specials took place in-person at the Village East Cinema in New York City.
The festival’s opening night saw the NY premiere of multi-award winning Colombian film El Ovido Que Seremos, Memories of my Father by renowned writer Hector Abad Faciolince.
Héctor Abad Faciolince, born in Medellin in 1958, is a Colombian novelist, essayist, journalist, and editor. He is considered one of the most talented writers in Latin American literature, and is famous for his novelized autobiography about his father, El olvido que seremos / Oblivion: A Memoir which was an international best-seller, and its cinematic adaptation by Fernando Trueba, which won the Goya for Best Ibero American Film in 2021, securing the first ever Goya Award for Colombia!
The event began with the press call, where interviews for press were given by the film stars. It then went on with the red carpet before the opening ceremony began. Hosted by Colombian actress Kika Child and NY-based content creator Martin Nuñez-Bonilla, the opening ceremony was filled with interesting people happy to celebrate the artists.
After the opening ceremony, the film began. The story was about a Colombian writer's father. His father was a University MD professor who promoted tolerance and human rights in his country. Throughout the movie, the writer relays his feelings related to his lovely father as he describes his family story and all drama related to the killing of his father. The movie portrays the violence that has haunted Colombia life during the last three decades. What was captivating about this film was the fact that it tackled different societal subjects that many people go through: culture, education, traditions, oppression, social inequality, etc, and was able to address them in an ironic, dramatic and romantic way.
The film was set in two timelines, one in Turin,1983, where the main character Héctor is summoned to a ceremony honoring his father, and another timeline in the writer’s childhood in 1970s Medellín, where much of the film takes place.
It is obvious from the beginning that we are seeing everything from the point of view of Héctor, who is later nicknamed Quiquín, and beautifully played by Nicolás Reyes. Quiquín is portrayed as a troublesome young boy who’s indulged by his doctor father on a regular basis.
Half way through the popcorn, we realize that the movie has its uneven moments, aspects of plot that feel rather a diversion from any central narrative. However, the key element is the closeness of this father-son bond that is very touching, as is our sense of the growing cruelty of a society that goes after those who are most concerned to improve it.
Overall, the film is not lacking in sentimentality, but the inspiring example of the hero, a man who put his beliefs above his own life, is genuinely moving.
The event concluded with a small party where everyone was celebrating the outstanding movie and culture. The film festival is still going on through November 11th, and will end on its closing night with the film MAIXABEL from director Icíar Bollaín. Both movies will remain in the theater after the festival if you’re interested in watching them, and you can also purchase the book “Memories of My Father” online or in stores currently.
