San Sebastian Festival Showcases Restored Cuban Films from the 60s and 70s in “En la otra isla” Programme

San Sebastian International Film Festival

The 72nd edition of the San Sebastian Festival, one of Spain’s most prestigious film events, will feature a special programme titled "En la otra isla / On the Other Island," showcasing a selection of restored Cuban films from the 1960s to the 1980s. This unique series, a collaboration between the festival, the Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola (EQZE), and the Filmoteca Vasca, will offer audiences a rare glimpse into Cuba’s rich cinematic history.

The "En la otra isla" programme includes 18 films, among them short, mid-length, and one feature-length work. The films, many of which will be screened as world premieres or for the first time in Spain, represent a mix of iconic filmmakers such as Sara Gómez and Santiago Álvarez, as well as lesser-known and amateur creators who operated outside Cuba’s institutional structures. The selection highlights the diversity and creativity that flourished during this pivotal era in Cuban cinema.

These films have undergone meticulous digital restoration, a process supported by a wide array of international collaborators, including the Cinemateca de Cuba, ICAIC, and organizations from Canada, Germany, Spain, France, and Cuba. EQZE’s Film Restoration and Preservation Department played a significant role in these efforts, ensuring that the films can be appreciated in their original glory.

The screenings will take place in the newly inaugurated theatre at EQZE's facilities in Tabakalera, with five showings scheduled throughout the festival. The programme will conclude with a screening of "De cierta manera / One Way or Another," directed by Sara Gómez, Cuba's first female feature filmmaker. The film, first shown at the San Sebastian Festival in 1977, addresses themes of revolutionary change, race, and gender, making it a fitting closure for the series.

This initiative is part of the Klasikoak programme, which underscores the San Sebastian Festival's commitment to preserving and promoting classic cinema. The programme is a continuation of the festival's longstanding tradition of retrospectives and film restoration projects, dating back to the 1959 René Clair retrospective. This year's Klasikoak also includes a retrospective of Italian crime films and several other restored films, showcasing the festival's dedication to cinematic heritage.

List of Selected Films:

1. "Ociel del Toa / Ociel from Toa" / Nicolás Guillén Landrián / Cuba-Spain / 1965
2. "En la otra isla / On the Other Island" / Sara Gómez / Cuba / 1968
3. "El negro" / Eduardo Manet / Cuba / 1960
4. "En un barrio viejo / In An Old Neighbourhood" / Nicolás Guillén Landrián / Cuba-Spain / 1963
5. "Una tradición centenaria" / Miguel Secades, Rudis Reyes, Rafael Torrens / Cuba / 1990
6. "Iré a Santiago / I'm Going to Santiago" / Sara Gómez / Cuba / 1964
7. "Coffea Arábiga" / Nicolás Guillén Landrián / Cuba-Spain / 1968
8. "Isla del tesoro / Treasure Island" / Sara Gómez / Cuba / 1969
9. "L.B.J." / Santiago Álvarez / Cuba / 1968
10. "79 primaveras / 79 Springs" / Santiago Álvarez / Cuba / 1969
11. "Oración / Prayer for Marilyn Monroe" / Marisol Trujillo, Miriam Talavera, Pepín Rodríguez / Cuba / 1984
12. "Nace una plaza" / Miguel Secades, Miguel García / Cuba / 1988
13. "Los del baile / The Dancers" / Nicolás Guillén Landrián / Cuba-Spain / 1965
14. "... y tenemos sabor / And We've Got Flavor" / Sara Gómez / Cuba / 1967
15. "Poder local, poder popular / Local Power, Popular Power" / Sara Gómez / Cuba / 1970
16. "Taller de línea y 18" / Nicolás Guillén Landrián / Cuba-Spain / 1968
17. "Reportaje: Plenaria Campesina" / Nicolás Guillén Landrián / Cuba / 1966
18. "De cierta manera / One Way or Another" / Sara Gómez / Cuba / 1974

The "En la otra isla" programme not only pays homage to Cuban cinema but also underscores the importance of film preservation as a means to safeguard cultural history for future generations. The San Sebastian Festival, EQZE, and Filmoteca Vasca’s efforts ensure that these significant works of art continue to be accessible and appreciated worldwide.