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Film & Cultural Night For Cuba
Lista de Espera
"The Waiting List"
Where Fun, Art, Culture and Politics Together Create A Great Atmosphere
On February 10th, more than ninety people came out to Joe’s Cafe in East Vancouver for a special Cuban cultural and film night. Organized by Vancouver Communities in Solidarity with Cuba (VCSC), this evening featured live music, delicious snacks and a screening of the acclaimed Cuban film, ‘The Waiting List.’
Tamara Hansen, coordinator of VCSC, and Colleen Glynn, secretary of VCSC, were the MCs for the evening and welcomed everyone to the event. They explained that VCSC organizes these cultural evenings in order to introduce different aspects of Cuban society and life through the expression of art and culture.
The program began with a special tribute to Sara González, one of the most widely recognized voices of the Cuban New Song Movement, who recently died of cancer at the age of 60. An instrumental character in developing culture and music on the island, she is lovingly remembered in Cuba as ‘the voice of victory.’ Everyone had a chance to see her powerful voice through film clips of her song about the Cuban victory at Playa Giron, ‘Giron la Victoria.’
Next, local artists had a chance to share some melodies with the crowd. Joaquin Ernesto, host of Romantic Tango on Coop Radio, as well as a Trova musician and activist from El Salvador, had people join in with his beautiful songs of love and revolution. Next, Jose Antonio had everyone clapping along to his fusion of classical and modern Spanish music.
Before the film began, Colleen explained that the US economic blockade of Cuba had just passed its 50-year mark. This inhuman policy aimed at starving the Cuban people and punishing them for their revolution and independence has cost the Cuban economy more than 1 trillion dollars. Despite condemnation from the whole world, the US has maintained this aggressive policy against the Cuban people. She explained that Cubans adapted to the hardships of the blockade and the film about to be shown reflects a humorous look at the ways that Cubans deal with its day to day nuisances.
The much anticipated film,’The Waiting List (Lista de Espera),’ began. The film was directed by Juan Carlos Tabío, who co-directed ‘Strawberries and Chocolate,’ and featured some of Cuba’s greatest actors, including Vladimir Cruz, Tahimi Alvariño and Jorge Perugorría. Viewers were transported from their seats in to the back of a run-down bus station where the comedy begins.
After the applause at the end of the film, the raffle draw took place and participants had a chance to win T-shirts, literature on Cuba and a coveted bottle of Cuban Havana Club. Before leaving, attendees were able to stop by the information tables, sign petitions and find out about upcoming events. Stay tuned for the next Film and Cultural Night at Joe’s Cafe!