I previously looked at the factors contributing to the current state of independent Cuban cinema, which include the growing use of digital technology, as well as the need to skirt the official censorship of the industry. An increasing number of actors and industry employees take on projects at their own risk- even producers. They lend their talent and hard work regardless of whether the project is a success or not.
Cuba would like to think it has a movie industry. The government agency responsible for overseeing this industry even has the rather pompous name of the Cuban Institute of Art and Film Industry (initials ICAIC in Spanish).
However, even when the ICAIC’s budget was at its highest, only 12 movies were produced annually, a low number when compared to other Latin American nations.
This company takes its names from the famous Cuban actress Rita Montaner.
Gerardo Fulleda Leon has lead the company since 1988, and he has placed his stamp on the company at its home at the Sala El Sotano.
In 1776, Diddone abbandonata premiered in Havana, and this represented the beginning of opera in Havana, and in the 19th century Havana was even the location for some Hemisphere premieres of European operas.
Havana even became known as the Philharmonic Capital of the New World.





