Filmmaker Fabián Suárez visited Amsterdam last year during the 6th edition of World Cinema Amsterdam to present his impressive debut film Caballos. The film has recently (April 11, 2016) been awarded as Best Fiction at the 15th edition of Muestra Joven ICAIC in Cuba.
The film is based on a theatre play written by Suárez himself which was inspired by the life of American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Its title, Caballos, makes reference to Mapplethorpe's famous picture of the cult singer Patti Smith that was used in the cover of her album 'Horses'. Caballos was shot in black and white by the Cuban cinematographer Javier Labrador, who also received a prize at Muestra Joven, in his case to the Best Cinematography.
The last film above the 60 minutes length which had previously won the main award at Muestra Joven was Memorias del desarrollo (2010) by filmmaker Miguel Coyula. No other feature film has won this competition ever since. In Cuba, feature films are still difficult to finance due to the high productions costs. But in recent years the amount of independent productions of this sort has slowly increased.
Through its GO CUBA! programme, World Cinema Amsterdam supports both feature film and short film projects by young and talented Cuban filmmakers. Fabián Suárez is one of those who have already been selected to receive this financial aid for his next project, the short film Luxemburgo. Another GO CUBA! supported filmmaker, Marcel Beltrán, also received a special mention at Muestra Joven for his feature El tío Aberto.
Related news:
Go Cuba! honors nine new Cuban film projects
Interview with Fabián Suárez (Caballos) – World Cinema Amsterdam 2015