Several international artists have wanted to use Cuba as a setting for their music videos. The reasons vary, from the island’s climate and landscapes, to the candor and flavor of its people. The Venezuelan-Canadian Aiona Santana is one of those figures. She recently told OnCuba about her experience making “La Santa,” a video clip directed by Freddy Loons, with which she won the Latin Award (Canada) in 2023.
With more than 400,000 views on YouTube since its release in 2023, “La Santa” is still one of your most popular songs. How did the idea for the song come about?
Society expects women to be and behave in a certain way. That premise was my inspiration. The lyrics of the song try to question it: a woman can be a saint, a devil, big, small, professional, a singer, whatever she wants; they can’t impose stereotypes on us and treat us as one thing. We are versatile.
With the song I wanted to show all those facets that women can have. Personally, many people have tried to limit me. I have had to tell them that I can be more than what they think. “La Santa” is inspired by those people who always saw me that way, as a saint. I can be whatever I want.
The lyrics seek to empower anyone who is going through a bad patch.
As women, we should not let ourselves be limited. We are very powerful. What the song seeks is that: to empower people. Several people have told me that when they feel bad they put on “La Santa” and they get inspired, especially women who are going through sad times. When they listen to the song, they remember who they are. That is what I want, to inspire those women, to motivate them.
The video clip was made in Cuba, directed by Freddy Loons. Why this choice?
I chose Cuba because I love it, and also because Freddy was there. I was looking for a professional who could create something unique, and, in addition, I wanted to support Latin talent. I live in Canada, but that doesn’t mean I have to make my videos here, especially since what I do is Latin music.
I had been following Freddy’s work for a long time and I loved it. I knew artists who had recorded with him and they had spoken well of his work. We had been exchanging ideas about the project for a while. Since he was in Cuba, we organized everything and I went there to record.
How did you meet?
I met him listening to music and watching videos on YouTube. I follow many Cuban artists. While watching his videos I realized that the director I wanted was Freddy. I liked the colors, the scenery. I felt that there was potential and talent to highlight what I wanted with “La Santa.” When we started talking about the project, he got excited. He overflowed with ideas, inspiration and creativity. When I arrived in Cuba and saw what he had set up on the set, I went crazy. My manager has known Freddy for a long time, so I also contacted him.
We started filming in the middle of the pandemic, after spending about ten months chatting via WhatsApp text messages and video calls; it was impossible to travel. I met him in person when I arrived in Cuba. I had expectations and at the same time fear. I told myself: “He may be a scammer, or he may not make the video I expect, but I’m already in it headfirst and I have to do it.”
In Cuba I realized that what my heart was telling me was right; I had made the right decision.
The filming lasted 24 hours, but the result that everyone expected was achieved.
Before filming, I rehearsed with the dancers, who were also Cuban, and the choreographer. Everyone was very nice, they made me feel very comfortable, very much like myself. They captured my essence in the makeup and the set design. I achieved everything I expected from this video. It was one of the most beautiful things in my life. Everyone treated me like a professional and that made me feel at home. I will never forget the talent, creativity and friendliness of the Cuban people. We had a great time; it was a party. We would dance and sing between the sets. It was a brutal experience.
What was the most complex scene in the video?
There were two. The first is the scene in which I appear with a pink umbrella on an island. It was done in 3D, with special effects. During the recording, what was behind me was a green screen. I couldn’t touch some things, I had to limit myself to a certain space and at the same time dance, express myself. Editing the scene was also complicated.
The second is the shot in which we come out with the planet behind us. The set is white and I appear in a red suit. It’s one of my favorite scenes, but performing the choreography was difficult. There was a little hole in the floor. I had heels on. I couldn’t fall or look down. I danced with stress. I thought: “I can’t step there because I’ll fall, I might break a leg or who knows.” In the end everything turned out perfect.
Aiona confesses that, in “La Santa,” a video clip directed by Freddy Loons, both the makeup and the costume were related to her personality and what she wanted to convey. Photo: Taken from the singer’s Instagram profile.
The song and the video clip won the award for Best Music Video at the Latin Awards in Canada, in 2023.
I was nominated in several of the categories. I would say: “If I win in the Best Music Video category, people in Cuba will feel good.” The team was about 50 people. They made sure everything was perfect; they were attentive to every detail.
We felt that the award was for everyone, and I loved sharing it with people I love, who I have so much respect for, professionals in this industry who respect me and who are my family. After having worked with Freddy and his wife, we became family, we are very good friends.
I was happy that Cuban talent was recognized, as well as that of my team and mine.
In these types of events, we never know what to expect and, although the video was very good, I didn’t think I would win. When they said my name, I went crazy, especially because I hadn’t won in other categories, and I thought that maybe I wouldn’t win in this one either.
We deserved it for all the sacrifice, work, stress and love we put into that project.
