Mn-prog-events Mailing List: CUBAN FILM FESTIVAL MINNEAPOLIS 2011

[Minnesota Cuba Committee (mncuba]

CUBAN FILM FESTIVAL
MINNEAPOLIS 2011

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

*The Best of Contemporary Cuban Cinema February 24- March 31*

February 11, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS- From February 24- March 31 the Minnesota Cuba Committee and the
Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul presents an outstanding collection of
Cuban cinema, featuring winners from this year’s Latin American Film
Festival in Havana. Five* *Cuban feature films and one US/Cuba documentary*
*will be screened at the Second Annual Cuban Film Festival.

With the theme, “The US government says we can’t travel to Cuba, so let’s go
to the Cuban movies!” the Cuban Movie Festival gives audiences an
unprecedented opportunity to view a cross section of Cuban films. Screenings
will take place at the St. Anthony Main Theatre complex on historic Main
Street, Minneapolis on the Mississippi Riverfront. All films are in Spanish
with English subtitles.

Contemporary films *Kangamba**,* by Rogelio París; *Lisanka*-by Daniel Diaz
Torres; *Fallen Gods** *by *Ernesto Daranas*; *Pages From Mauricio’s Diary**
**by *Manuel Pérez Paredes; *Van Van Fever* by Ian Padron, and *Will The
Real Terrorist Please Stand Up* by Saul Landau will be presented February
24—March 31, Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm with one showing only.

Cuban Movie Festival director, Greg Klave, added that “Cuban cinema has
played an extraordinary role in Cuba’s Revolution. Its cinema industry
unleashed new generations of creative energy, as they turned the cameras on
the process they were living, and told the Cuban people, and anyone else who
was interested, who they are and what they are doing. Cuba continues to
produce films that deserve to be known more widely and we hope the Cuban
Film Festival will contribute to that end.”

The festival will present general audience discussions after each showing
facilitated by August Nimtz, Professor of Political Science at the
University of Minnesota , Gary Prevost, Professor of Political Science and
Latin American Studies at St. John’s University and College of St. Benedict,
Rene Thompson, dance instructor and director of Rene Dance Studio, Gloria
“Nina” Rivera, music instructor and singer with the band Salsa del Soul, and
Raudemar Hernandez Abreu, priest of Ifa and director of the Minnesota Yoruba
Association*.*

A closing reception will feature live Cuban music, dancers and hors d’ourves
and take place at Vic’s Restaurant and Nightclub on St. Anthony’s Main
Street from 9-12 PM on March 31st after the 7:30 PM showing of the film, *Van
Van Fever*, a film about Cuba’s most famous and beloved Salsa band, Los Van
Van.

The Festival’s sponsors are the Resource Center of the Americas, Victor’s
1959 Café, Center for Global Education, Augsburg College, Santorini’s
Nightclub & Restaurant, El Meson/Café Ena, Mediterranean Cruise Café,
Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, KFAI-90.3/106.6 FM, Film Society of
Minneapolis/St. Paul, De Leon & Nestor Attorneys at Law and Common Good
Books of St. Paul.

Tickets will be $7.00 for each show and $20.00 for a 4 film pass, $30.00 for
a 6 film pass and can be bought at the door on the night of the movie. Free
parking can be found in the ramp behind the St. Anthony Main Theater
on 2ndAve. NE and 2nd St. NE.

Other information about the films and Cuban cinema can be found on the Cuban
Movie Festival website, *www.minnesotacubacommittee.org* .

Contact: Greg Klave, *gregklave [at] msn.com*, 763-228-2899 <+17632282899>.