"Interactive. The film 'talk of emigration, freedom and Cuban music salsa and timba interview with young filmmaker Tané Martinez, who premiered his film in New York on timba funk group Interactive
Manuel Desdin , Madrid
Interactive. film on the Cuban timba funk group led by pianist Roberto Carcasses, will have its world premiere April 10 at the Havana Film Festival in New York City. Its director, Tané Martínez, told Cubaencuentro how was the birth of film, the role of musicians Interactive and its views on the Cuban music scene today.
filmmaker reflects on the voices that make up the new generation of alternative artists residing in Cuba and whose songs many young people "are an innovative and revolutionary."
Tané Martinez (Havana, 1981) has made three shorts: Family Pack , Bad day my love and I have what I had have . Action graduated in the National Art School (ENA) in Cuba, and later studied Film Direction at the Film Training Center in Mexico. He currently resides in New York, where he works as Editor / Partner in Colorbox Productions. Interactive. film is his first feature film.
Where does the idea of \u200b\u200bmaking a documentary on the Interactive group?
Tané Martínez (TM): The idea came from Roberto Carcasses, director of the group. Roberto and I are friends, and after he saw my documentary I have on the singer Xiomara Laugart, I proposed to direct a documentary about his band. I loved the idea, as I had never filmed in Cuba. Jump to New York to Havana for a five-day shooting seemed a very attractive challenge.
The project became a reality when Colorbox Productions in New York, took over the production, and by supporting our sponsors Havana Cultura, Havana Club International and South Audio Prado in Mexico City.
How would you summarize the plot of the movie?
(TM): Interactive Film is a musical documentary. The story is simple: musicians are preparing for the release concert of her new album, Cuban the World . The particularity of the story lies in the game and the interpretation offered by the album title: Cubans for the World!
So as a result, is a film that talks about migration, freedom and, above all, Cuban music.
As our crew was small, we could be really close to the musicians during rehearsals and concerts. Parallel to this process, my intention as director was telling a story about Havana and the characters that inhabit it.
What you think about the role it plays in today's music of the island as interactive group? Is it a different proposition compared to other projects?
(TM): Havana is a scene eager for new ideas and new languages. Young Cubans are in the music of Interactive an innovative and revolutionary in his speech. We refer to a group that resides on the island and is defined as a band that makes timba funk.
The music has a unifying power, restorative, the music gets to all of us and opens the mind. Interactive is the voice of a new generation search process. Is a band that communicates.
In Interactive. The film , musicians have the most weight are the focus of the story ...
(TM): The musicians are the stars of the film. When I started organizing the project, I realized I had to structure the story based on a solid foundation and authentic. Then I focused on the construction of five central characters. Through them we can project the image of Havana I was looking, with its peculiarities and contradictions. I can say that I was very lucky that Roberto Carcasses, Julio Padrón, Francis del Rio, Santa and Melvin Oliver Valdés trust in me and gave me the opportunity to convert the voices of the city. All I really admire and think very talented musicians. Each of them is unintentionally reflect a different Cuba.
Other Cuban musicians were involved in this film ...
(TM): figures involved in the film as X Alfonso, Santiago Feliu, Oscar Valdés and Haydee Milanes. The film's original music was composed by Roberto Carcasses and Interactive. The screenplay is by Zulema Clares and mine, Bokn Sveinung photography and production management Cotorruelo Ivonne.
Is there any similarity between your film and other films about alternative music performed on the island, as is the case of Habana Blues ?
(TM): Making a film about alternative music that takes place in Cuba is an excellent excuse to talk about the Cuban social phenomenon. The case of the film Habana Blues, proves without a doubt. The Cuban is trendy and attractive about Cuba, and Cuba is projecting a selling insurance.
For me it was very important to make a film about interactive music, which is an alternative band that represents the new Cuban musical discourse and need all the outreach and care that we provide.
How will the distribution of Interactive. film?
(TM): The film is presented at the Havana Film Festival official selection. This documentary is an independent project and so far we have no distribution. Those interested can contact us by www.colorbox.tv.
What is your perception of the Cuban music scene today?
(TM): Cuban music now is a demonstration in constant development and adaptation. It is a real focus on the contemporary scene in Cuba.
you directed other documentaries including Family Pack, which addresses the issue of Cuban exiles. What about the reality of the family division suffered most Cuban families?
(TM): The Cuban family is a cell divided into a whole and my family is no exception. My work is always charged that feeling of detachment, and learning. Family Package was my first job and a documentary is very simple but at the same time powerful and human, because migration is a universal phenomenon.
Would you say that there is a thread in your work from the thematic point of view?
(TM): The unifying thread of my work so far is the issue of emigration. For me, filmmaking is tell a story that makes us think. In my particular case, the issue of emigration of Cubans always Sobering. I've always wanted to make movies for Cubans living in and outside of C or ba.
