The deliberation lasted little, because there was not much to discuss: they had several strong candidates, but no one doubted that the National Film Award-2014 was for Juan Carlos Tabio, the director of the best comedies ever made in Cuba.
A humble man, when the jury called him to announce that he had been elected, the director of the monumental “Plaff or Too afraid of life” took it in stride, because his life does not revolve around a prize. Moreover, following his routine, he took his dog for a stroll, thinking perhaps of his new status…
A jury chaired by writer Miguel Barnet, president of the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba, chose Tabío for his contribution to the film industry in this country, both in conducting thirty documentaries and short feature films, as his work behind cameras on multiple films of worship.
Besides the aforementioned Plaff-made in 1988 and that seems to have been filmed today, Tabío’s work includes several features that constitute a corrosive portrait of the Cuban reality view with a sharp humor that takes care of vulgarity and commonplace. Outstanding films of his are Swap (1983), The Elephant and the Bicycle (1994) Waiting List (2000) or Horn of Plenty (2008).
However, his breakthrough came in 1993 when he co-directed Strawberry and Chocolate along the late Tomas Gutierrez Alea (Titon), also a National Film Award. That film was not only the only Cuban film ever nominated for an Oscar, but was a landmark because it put the issue of tolerance for public debate.
His filmography includes titles such as Guantanamera (1995, also with Titón) While you’re away (2003) and Seven Days in Havana (2012). In addition, he has taught screenwriting at the International School of Film, Television and Video in San Antonio de los Baños, quarry of filmmakers from various countries.
The jury was also made up by the previous winner, also director Manuel Perez Paredes, and other figures of cinema in Cuba, as the actress Deisy Granados, who acted for him in Plaff, film critic Luciano Castillo, photographer Angel Alderete , producer Evelio Delgado, and animator Juan Padrón, winner of both the National Film Award and the Humor Award.
Photo taken from Habana-Cultura
