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| Alina Rodriguez & Armando Valdes Freire |
In the last few years I have noticed that it's more difficult to see foreign films in the US - even for a cinephile like me. Maybe it has something to do with the shrinking of the world economy and limited distribution - I don't know. Regardless - it is always a treat to see something outstanding from another country to remind me that the world of film extends far beyond Hollywood.
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| On the red carpet at HFFNY |
I recently attended the opening night of the
15th Havana Film Festival in New York. In addition to a great deal of Cuban pride in the air and a lively party at the Copacabana, I got to see the US premiere of an exceptional film called
Conducta (Behavior) from Cuba.
Conducta is a coming of age story of a troubled young boy who has a close relationship with his teacher, who fights for him when no one else will. It is a bold commentary, with a phenomenal script, about on challenging the status quo. The performances are also extremely powerful - helmed by veteran actress Alina Rodriguez and newcomer Armando Valdes Freire. Without seeing any other narrative films in the festival, I was not at all surprised when
Conducta won HFFNY's awards for both Best Picture and Best Actress. It is one of those rare films that makes an indelible impression by inspiring you to think, making you laugh and tugging at your heart strings in an unapologetic way. Those - I believe - are the qualities of a great work of art.
Hear, hear. I will be watching for this film. Funny that while international grosses for Western films mean more to the business than ever before, international films have to be absolute sensations in their home countries before the studios pick them up. I've always wondered about Western audiences' impatience, and even some animosity toward films of other countries. But their stories are our stories because despite where we live or what language we learned our humanity unites us. I see myself in the stories of those all over the world, and I see the human condition as well.
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