The premiere of the feature film *Neurótica Anónima* (Neurotic Anonymous)—Cuba’s entry for the Goya Awards—took place this Friday in Havana. Serving as a tribute to both Cuban and world cinema. Told with the sensitivity, emotion, and warmth inherent to the seventh art.
The screening at the Yara Cinema reaffirmed an irrefutable truth: the nation’s film industry remains alive and continues to shine for the world to see. Despite crises, misunderstandings, and obstacles.
In an exclusive statement to Prensa Latina, the film’s director, Jorge Perugorría, expressed his gratitude and joy. Regarding the positive audience response to the production, which stars the renowned actress Mirtha Ibarra.
“We already had a screening at the last International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, and the reaction was similar to today’s. People engage with the ‘film-within-a-film’ concept and the cultural codes that are part of our daily lives,” the Cuban filmmaker remarked.
In his view, “looking at reality with that sense of humor is what we were taught by our mentors: Tomás Gutiérrez Alea (‘Titón’), Juan Carlos Tabío, and that entire generation of great filmmakers.”
The film inherits this tradition, embracing that particular way of viewing reality. Along with a critical perspective that speaks to the resilience of the Cuban people, he explained.
“Very happy” about the Goya nomination in the Best Ibero-American Film category. Also the recipient of the National Film Award recalled the positive audience reception at the Málaga Film Festival. A source of great joy for him, given his professional ties to Spanish cinema.
At the start of the presentation, Mirtha mentioned that this is your most valuable work as a filmmaker; what are your thoughts on that? “I think so too, but one learns and discovers one’s own language over time.”
In the artist’s own words, this device of “cinema within cinema” is something she has been exploring for a while, though here it is far more complex and profound.
Ibarra, who boasts an extensive filmography, expressed her surprise to this news agency at seeing a full theater and receiving thunderous applause from an audience that, on several occasions, cheered the humorous touches in the script from their seats.
“Applause is the greatest satisfaction an actress can have,” remarked the performer, who plays the role of Iluminada. A young girl from the countryside who leaves home to pursue her dreams.
The National Film Award winner expressed her satisfaction and joy regarding the nomination at the European festival. “It would be wonderful to win the award, but the nomination itself is already a great achievement,” she stated.
Blending wit, talent, and thought-provoking dialogue, the audience took the opportunity to praise the story and the cast. Whose masterful performances elevate the film, including the late Paula Alí and Mario Limonta.
Following its screening in the Cuban capital, the feature film will continue its tour across the country.
With information from Prensa Latina
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