The film El Brigadista by Octavio Cortázar, premiered in 1977, will return to the screen in an animated version currently in preparation at the ICAIC Animation Studios, according to that institution’s web page.
El maestrico (The Young Teacher) is the name of these “comics” that take essential parts of the popular Cuban film and at the same time present a more contemporary style in an attempt to comply with the demands of such a special public as that of children.
Isis Chaviano, director of the new production, has said that the context will remain the same, since the purpose is to approach the children to important moments of Cuban history that may eventually be forgotten, like the Campaign against Illiteracy. At the same time some elements of comedy have been introduced to make El maestrico of interest to the smaller ones, who will be able to learn while enjoying the adventures of the leading character.
The short film, foreseen to run approximately 12 minutes, has the participation of important Cuban actors, who will lend their voices to the different characters. Among them will be Patricio Wood, leading character of the original film who will play Venancio this time.
The short film should be ready by October and has been mainly produced with the digital flash technique. Its filmmakers have said that, from the aesthetic point of view it attempts to approach the drawing on paper, the format in which it was originally conceived.
El maestrico, beyond being a re-visit of El brigadista, intends, like its predecessor, to be a tribute to all the Cubans who took part in this experience.
