CARLOS M. QUINTELA | CUBA, ARGENTINA, GERMANY, ZWITSERLAND | 2015 | 100' | SPANISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES
Two years ago, Cuban director Carlos M. Quintela was one of World Cinema Amsterdam's guest; for him a special visit as his feature debut La Piscina won the jury award. This year, Quintela will again be our guest, but now as a jury member.
In 1982, the Cuban government started to undertake an ambitious mega project with the aid of Soviet capital: the build of a nuclear plant and a city known as Nuclear City. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the project came to a halt. It was never finished; the only thing left is an enormous dome rising high above the former workers' dilapidated barracks. Arrogant, materialistic grandfather Otto lives in one of these apartments, together with his unemployed, demoralized son Rafael and Rafael's son Leo, who came back to live with his father and grandfather because his girlfriend left him and he is broke. Living together is quite a strain for all of them.
Quintela alternates this psychological study shot in beautiful black-and-white with archive material of the nuclear plant's build, symbolizing the blessings of socialism. With only the ruins left now, these images add an alienating, almost surrealist layer to the story.
Carlos M. Quintela, director of the film, will be attending the festival and will answer the audience's questions after the screening of his film.
Screenings:
Venue: Rialto
SAT 15 AUG – 19:15 (preceded by short Lui-Elle) - opening Cine Caribe programme 
FRI 21 AUG – 19:00 (preceded by short Lui-Elle)