In a move that highlights the oppressive tactics of the Cuban regime, actress and activist Kiriam Gutiérrez was placed under house arrest to prevent her from attending the premiere of her film "Matar a un hombre." The movie was censored during the 45th Havana International Festival of New Latin American Cinema. In a statement to Cubanet, Gutiérrez revealed that a State Security agent called her with a menacing tone, ordering her to dissociate from the film, a short feature crafted at the International Film and Television School of San Antonio de los Baños.
Gutiérrez expressed her belief that this act was a form of political repression. "I have the right as an actress and filmmaker to defend my film, to stand up for the cinema I create, and naturally, to attend the screenings of my work," she asserted. The 12-minute film, directed by Orlando Mora Cabrera, is based on a true story and addresses the controversial subject of a closeted gay officer from the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), which has scandalized the regime.
Censorship and Suppression
The short film was removed from the Havana International Film Festival under the pretext of power outages plaguing the island. Nonetheless, on Wednesday, the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba screened the film, yet Gutiérrez was unable to be present due to her enforced confinement.
Walter Cordero, an actor and filmmaker, as well as the general producer at Compañía Pura Vida, condemned this house arrest in a Facebook post, expressing his anger. "The Cuban Government's dictatorship continues to flaunt its power and impunity. It's time for us as artists to stop ignoring these injustices," he declared.
Past Exclusions and Achievements
Earlier in July, Kiriam Gutiérrez was also barred from participating in the “La Reina de la Copla” event, organized by the Venus Drag Queen project at the Cubanacán cabaret in Santa Clara. Notably, Gutiérrez is the first Cuban trans woman to earn an Emmy award in the regional "Suncoast" category for her role in the documentary series “Ser Trans,” produced by Martí Noticias. At 47, she also has the distinction of being the first trans woman to venture into Cuban cinema and television, having starred in the music video for "Lola" nearly two decades ago, filmed by the then-popular band Moneda Dura.
Understanding the Impact of Censorship in Cuban Cinema
What was the reason for Kiriam Gutiérrez's house arrest?
Kiriam Gutiérrez was placed under house arrest to prevent her from attending the premiere of her censored film "Matar a un hombre," which addresses sensitive topics that challenged the Cuban regime's narrative.
What topic does the film "Matar a un hombre" explore?
The film explores the hidden homosexuality of a National Revolutionary Police officer, a subject that has scandalized the Cuban government.
How did Walter Cordero react to the house arrest of Kiriam Gutiérrez?
Walter Cordero, a fellow filmmaker and actor, expressed his outrage on social media, criticizing the Cuban government's authoritarian practices and urging artists to stand against such repression.