Italian-Cuban film *Baracoa* presented at Lucca Film Festival

The Italian-Cuban film *Baracoa*—the debut feature by director Luis Ernesto Doñas—will be presented this Tuesday at the 22nd edition of the Lucca Film Festival. Held in the Italian city of the same name in the Tuscany region.

According to the event program, the special screening will be attended by Doñas, producer Francesco Papa, and renowned Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini, who is part of the film’s cast.

*Baracoa* explores the distant relationship between Felipe (Giannini)—an Italian revolutionary and former friend of leader Fidel Castro—and his son Pepe, a man harboring homophobic prejudices. It also focuses on the special bond Pepe forms with his doctor, Jimmy. Also who works at night as the drag queen Estrellita.

Following Felipe’s death, his son and the doctor embark on a road trip from Havana to the city of Baracoa, located at the easternmost tip of the Caribbean island. The journey offers a look at contemporary Cuba through the eyes of two characters with opposing worldviews.

Also starring Cuban actors Carlos Luis González and Yadier Fernández. The film was previously presented at the Havana International Festival of New Latin American Cinema. Also where it received the “Súmate” diversity award. It was screened out of competition at the Taormina Film Festival in Italy.

The film’s appearance at the Lucca Film Festival provides a new platform to showcase a production linked to both Cuban and Italian cinema. While offering local audiences a chance to connect with a story set in present-day Cuba. The event, taking place from September 26th to October 4th under the artistic direction of Nicola Borrelli. It brings together—in its twenty-second edition—feature films and short films in competition, premieres, retrospectives, and meetings with prominent figures from Italian and international cinema.

In addition to Giannini, this year’s guest list includes personalities. Such as Julian Schnabel, Liliana Cavani, Nanni Moretti, Julien Temple, and Nicolas Winding Refn.

Baracoa’s participation is part of a program that seeks to combine new expressions of contemporary cinema. With the involvement of filmmakers and actors from diverse cinematic traditions.

With information from Prensa Latina