Memories of My Father
El Olvido Que Seremos
We love watching well-crafted films that tell engaging stories that draw us in and keep us on the edge of our seats to see how the film will progress. What is special about film festivals is that they provide film buffs with the opportunity to experience a selection of well-crafted curated films shown for a brief period. It also provides the opportunity to attend Q&A with filmmakers, directors, and actors, as well connect with other film buffs to discuss the films. It also provides the opportunity to see film premieres in advance of general theater screenings.
Since 2000, the Havana Film Festival New York has sought out the best films from Latin American countries. Truly an international film festival, for 2021 they have film entries from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, and the United States. From November 5 – 11, 2021, the Havana Film Festival New York 2021 has an amazing selection of (32) film screenings. If you love watching films the old-fashioned way (in a theater rather than at home), which we do, the Havana Film Festival New York 2021 should be on your radar to attend.
Debra C. Argen on Red Carpet
Havana Film Festival New York 2021
We attended Opening Night on Friday, November 5, 2021, of the Havana Film Festival New York held at the beautiful Village East Cinema (181-189 2nd Avenue, New York City), built between 1925-1926 by Louis Jaffe, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The film festival opened with a powerful, impactful, and heartfelt film from Colombia, Memories of My Father/El Olvido Que Seremos, directed by Oscar-award winning Director Fernando Trueba, with actor Javier Cámara, based on the life of renowned Colombian medical doctor and human rights activist Héctor Abad Gómez. The film is based on the book by Héctor Abad Gómez’s son, Héctor Abad Faciolince.
Running 136 minutes, the film is a love story about Héctor Abad Gómez; his love for his family – his wife, his daughters, and his only son, but it is also about his love for the people of MedellÃn, Colombia. The film tells the story of the family, their love, their joy, and their struggles and challenges during the violence ridden 1970s until his ultimate assassination in 1987.
Question & Answer Session
Actress Kika Child, Author Héctor Abad Faciolince,
Moderator Fernando Travesi
Making its premiere at the Havana Film Festival New York 2021, Director Fernando Trueba, and the amazing cast, including Javier Cámara as Héctor Abad Gómez, deliver a film that must be seen. While the dialogue and acting deftly and lovingly tell the story, the cinematography also tells the story through the eye of the lens. Shot in color for the first part of the film denoting the past and happier times for the family, the cinematographer shot the second part of the film in black and white to note the starkness and the bleakness of the tragic later years. Memories of My Father/El Olvido Que Seremos is a film that touches the heart with its pain, its poignancy, but most of all, for the love that resonates throughout offering hope and joy for the future. Bravo! Following the film screening there was an interesting Q&A with the author Héctor Abad Faciolince moderated by Fernando Travesi.
As it was Opening Night of the film festival, there was an Opening Night Party at the Ideal Glass Studios featuring the music of Cuban composer, arranger, and Latin jazz pianist Dayramir González with guest singer and artist Willard Morgan. Cuban food and Ron Barceló aged rum from the Dominican added to the overall festivities, making it a perfect "first night."
The Havana Film Festival New York runs until November 11, 2021.
Until next time, keep enjoying and supporting the arts!
About the Havana Film Festival New York
"After a year and a half of social distancing and online entertainment, the Havana Film Festival New York (HFFNY) is returning to in-person events at the Village East Cinema (181-189 2nd Ave, NYC) November 5-11, 2021. The way New York fought this devastating pandemic demonstrated the value of collaboration and collectively recognizing the importance of everything that makes us a community; from the city’s healthcare system and essential workers, through its economic conditions and art enterprises. From our front as a premier cultural event celebrating the multitude of cinematic voices of Latin America and the Caribbean, we see art as an essential part of the strength of our communities. And we hope you do as well."
"In its 21st edition, the festival will showcase films from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, and the U.S, offering a cinematic window into the multiple perspectives that make up the Latin American diaspora and fostering an environment for industry professionals, film lovers, and Latinos to enrich and expand their vision of Latino culture. Filmmakers will join us in person to introduce audiences to their stories, interpretations, and approaches to the art of making movies. We are partnering with small, independently owned bars, restaurants, and gallery spaces in the neighborhood to join us in celebrating Latin American stories and the region’s cultural presence in NYC. Two major focuses of this year’s festival are diversity and community, and a clear message to our audience to support local business."
"HFFNY continues to uphold the reputation for which it is known enriching and expanding the vision of Cuban and Latino culture in the United States. The films chosen each year reflect strong cultural and social identities rooted in their respective countries. The festival offers our audience the opportunity to see award-winning full-length feature films, documentaries, shorts, animation, and classics as well as new independent films rarely screened in the U.S. HFFNY has paid tribute to some of the most important directors and actors including: Fernando Birri (Argentina), Eliseo Subiela (Argentina), Walter Salles (Brazil), Silvio Caiozzi (Chile), Victor Gaviria (Colombia), Humberto Solas (Cuba), Juan Carlos Tabio (Cuba), Luis Alberto Garcia (Cuba), Jorge PerugorrÃa (Cuba), Tomás Gutiérrez Alea (Cuba), Senel Paz (Cuba), Arturo Ripstein (Mexico), Jacobo Morales (Puerto Rico), and Estela Bravo (U.S.)."
"We continue forging a close relationship with our community, providing a multi-cultural experience to different age groups. Our special events, including retrospectives and panel discussions with notable local and international directors, actors, and producers, provide our audience with educational opportunities as well as a behind-the-scenes look at an industry that continues to gain recognition on a global level. By collaborating with other institutions and festivals, HFFNY is able to bring to NY the work of the most dynamic international Latino filmmakers."
For more information and tickets for the Havana Film Festival New York, please visit their website: https://hffny.com/2021/
Havana Film Festival New York
4 West 43rd Street
Suite 304
New York, New York 10036
United States
Telephone: +1-212-687-2146
Email: info@AFLFC.org
Website: https://hffny.com/
Facebook: @HFFNY
Instagram: #hffny2021 #HFFNY
Twitter: @HFFNY
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRPyCWWAmPYkVH3JFiRZmQ
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