Among those attending the 35 Festival of Havana is Brazilian filmmaker and actor Lázaro Ramos, who comes to this edition as a jury in the fiction section. He has starred in a dozen films and as many productions and soap operas, becoming one of the most successful and recognized actors of his generation. As a filmmaker he has several documentaries and short films filmed and told OnCuba that he will soon begin work on his first feature film.
He surprises by his mastery of our language and for his great sense of humor and playfulness, especially for those who remember him in his role as André Gurguel on the soap recently broadcasted here Foolish Heart, ïn which he played an egotistical designer that sometimes we came to hate for his insensitive side.
What are your expectations as Fiction jury in this Festival in Havana?
I am very curious to know and appreciate everything shown. Some years ago I won the best actor award and could not attend. This is the chance to kill all this curiosity because all my friends and colleagues are raving about this festival in which there is a strong motivation in the public towards films. This is the realization of a dream of any Latin American artist.
From your role as jury what do you consider a good film should have to win a coral?
A good story, there are not many formulas. Films having greater efforts than subjectivities are always the best. The first time I have worked as a jury was a few months ago at the Rio de Janeiro Film Festival and it was very difficult to choose because there were very good movies. I think here also is difficult to choose the high quality of the materials in competition.
When will we see you in another telenovela?
I knew you could see Foolish Heart recently. The next year maybe you can see Side by Side, where I work with Patricia Pillar, who is also well known here and two years ago was also jury of the Festival.
What are you working now in?
I’m going to start shooting another telenovela called Generation Brazil.
And as a filmmaker?
I have directed many short films and documentaries and now I am thinking of making my first feature film to start shooting in 2015.It is about two cousins who are cloistered in the same apartment when the government put a temporary measure. I can not advance further.
What Cuban films do you know?
I know the two films by Pavel Giroud, and some by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea as Guantanamera and others that have come to Brazil in festivals and retrospectives.
What subject do you prefer as a filmmaker?
I have no favorite topic, just something to motivate me but the relationship between parents and children has always been a topic that has interested me to address. I do not know why, because I had not had any trauma, but on the contrary, my father accompanied me on this trip to Havana and my family is very close. But the family is recurrent in all that I do.
What are the roles you like to play?
Antiheroes that make me infuse Manichaeism, in the eternal struggle between two opposing and irreducible principles.
What is your opinion of this Festival as a showcase of cinema in the region?
Certainly it is a great exhibition festival that showcases the best of Latin American cinema. The screenplay category is special for me because it is always an incentive and push for these films to be made and then watched. We in Brazil have a great affection for this festival because the history of fraternity between the two film industries is very old.
How do you assess the current situation of Latin American cinema?
I think we’re in good shape. The films from Argentina, Chile, and Peru and of course Brazil are evolving. We begin to look at ourselves without imitating any foreign pattern, let alone Hollywood.
And the current state of cinema in Brazil?
This is an exceptional moment for Brazilian cinema where we begin to enjoy true stories of our time. Of course there are always difficulties in financing and distribution as throughout Latin America, but there is great creativity to make up for everything. There are two markets comedies for domestic audience that are having great success great and are fashionable. It has titles that begin to seduce the viewer and they are consuming it. Many filmmakers are immersed in humorous projects but there is another film that is more acting, which is consumed in the world is more complex and controversial, as some works that are on this team and we already saw in the Rio Festival. The contemporary Brazilian cinema is a mirror of society.
How have you felt with the Cuban public?
It was incredible. There are many demonstrations of affection I received from the airport. Foolish Heart is a job I did four years ago and I am reliving those moments of interaction with the public who jokes about my character on the street: it is fun. The Cuban public is very special. I am very happy for the affection of the people towards me which is very important for an artist.
Is it true that you love Cuban music?
I am passionate about the music of this country. I hope to go dancing every night. I stayed here in 2008 as a tourist and the first day I met Omara Portuondo in the lobby and I took pictures with her and was mad with excitement.
What rhythms do you prefer?
I prefer dance music, I’m a cinema man but also love dancing.
