In brief
Havana’s Yara theater hosted the national premiere of the Italian‑Cuban film 'Baracoa' on Nov. 6, 2026, after the film swept the Audience and Screenplay Awards at the 41st Ibero‑Latin American Film Festival in Trieste, Italy. Director Luis Ernesto Donas, along with producers, crew and actors Giancarlo Giannini, Carlos Luis González and Yadier Fernández, attended the screening, marking the film’s first fiction outing on local cine‑plaza screens. The road‑dramedy follows the journey of a revolutionary friend of Fidel Castro and his son across Cuba, tackling themes of love, friendship and homophobia.
Havana’s Yara theater hosted the national premiere of the Italian‑Cuban film Baracoa on Nov. 6, 2026, after the film swept the Audience Award and Best Screenplay Award at the 41st Ibero‑Latin American Film Festival in Trieste, Italy.
The Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC) announced that director Luis Ernesto Donas, producers, the production crew and the principal cast would be in attendance for the screening.
Baracoa is Donas’ debut fiction film and a “dramedy” road movie that follows the bond between Felipe—played by renowned Italian actor Giancarlo Giannini—a revolutionary friend of Fidel Castro—and his son Pepe, portrayed by Carlos Luis González. The narrative chronicles the pair’s trip from Havana to the island’s easternmost city, a journey that confronts homophobic prejudices, love, friendship and personal transformation.
Earlier this week, Donas told Prensa Latina that the film “manages to connect with audiences” through its “purity of emotion” that is evident on screen.
“This purity of emotion, which comes across on screen, is what, in a way, manages to connect with audiences.”
Radio Angulo reported the same evening that the national premiere would take place at Yara, noting that the film had already earned strong support from international audiences and a successful run on the awards circuit.
The premiere marked the first time this internationally lauded drama has been screened in Cuban cinemas, combining political history with contemporary social issues in a cinematic narrative that has already resonated with audiences world‑wide.
According to Prensa Latina, the film’s plot covers Felipe’s friendship with Castro, the death of the elder generation, and the subsequent road trip undertaken by Pepe and a doctor named Jimmy to help Pepe confront and overcome cultural prejudice.
In a statement released just hours before the opening night, ICAIC confirmed that all members of the film’s core team—including the director, producers, crew and cast—would be present to celebrate the U.S. premiere’s arrival on Cuban tapestry.
The Yara theater’s opening reflected a broader cultural celebration in Havana, underscoring both the island’s commitment to fostering international cinematic collaboration and its ongoing attention to contemporary social themes such as sexuality and family dynamics.
With its screen presence and the presence of its creative team, Baracoa continues to build on its international momentum, drawing audiences into a tale that unfolds the transformation of individuals and the nation as a whole.
