Leonel Fernández Highlights Funglode/GFDD’s Efforts to Promote Dominican Republic Film Industry in the U.S.

April 26, 2016

The president of Gobal Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo(Funglode), Dr. Leonel Fernández, pointed out yesterday in New York the foundations’ efforts to promote the Dominican Film Industry in the United States.

As example of such, the former president of the Dominican Republic announced Monday April 25, during the premiere of “Vuelos Prohibidos”, by the Cuban director Rigoberto López, that Funglode and the Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industria Cinematográficos (ICAIC) are working on a collaboration agreement for the production of exportable quality films, with the aim of building the grounds to enter the North American market.

Similarly, the former ruler stressed the thrust of the Dominican film industry, and reported that so far in the year more than 52 million dollars have been invested in films production, “something unprecedented in national life”, which has been imputed to the incentive offered by the Cinema Law, an initiative of his governance.

Fernández said that in addition to approving a Cinema Law with special incentives for the cinematographic stream, created a film school and filming studios, which include one ranked among the best in the world.

The premiere, which took place at Lincoln Center, in New York, was also attended by the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Margarita Cedeño de Fernández, and the prominent Dominican businessman José Luis Corripio Estrada (Pepin).

The film, which premiered at the Festival de Cine Global Dominicano 2015, is produced by ICAIC, the Cuban Ministry of Culture and Funglode.

The launch of “Vuelos Prohibidos” in the North American market is part of a commitment to cooperate between Funglode and Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS). The activity was organized by Funglode and Duende Films, under the auspices of Mega 97.9.

As part of the program of the night, the former President Fernández served as moderator of a conversation with the French actress, of Moroccan origin, Sanáa Alaoui, who embodies one of the main characters of the film, and Rigoberto López. Ellis Pérez, Executive Advisor of DGCINE Dominican Republic Film Commission was the master of ceremonies.

In statements to journalists during the red carpet, the former Dominican leader explained that the launch in New York of “Vuelos Prohibidos” seeks to create the conditions for entering the North American market, although the ultimate goal is to also reach the rest of the hemisphere and around the world.

Moreover, the Director López explained that with the production carried out with the collaboration of Funglode he aimed at making fiction about the reality of his country, for the purpose of provoking a reflection on identity and other no less important aspects. He also stressed the qualities of French actress Sanáa Alaoui, as well as the collaboration and support received from Fernández.

Other than the former President Fernández, the Vice President Cedeño de Fernández and Director Rigoberto López, the premiere was attended by members of the diplomatic corps accredited in this country, as well as executives of SBS, a U.S. media entertainment group.

At the event were also present the main actors in the film, as well as a number of special guests, among them Cuba’s Ambassador in the United States, José Ramón Cabañas; Ruddy Fuentes, President of the Association of Supermarkets of New York; the Dominican filmmaker Jimmy Sierra, as well as artists, actors, entrepreneurs, producers, diplomats and a large representation of the Dominican and Cuban community.

The film is a Wendy Guerra and Rigoberto López´s original project, with script by the Director and Julio Carranza, Danilo León and Omar de la Cruz as Executive Producers, Ángel Alderete Gómez as Photography Director, and Miguel Nuñez for the music. With the launch of this film a co-production agreement with ICAC was sealed, fostering the relation that has been nurtured for years.

“Vuelos Prohibidos” tells the love story of Mario and Monique, who meet when an unexpected storm causes the cancellation of their flights from Paris to Cuba, which leads them to become lovers in a hotel adjacent to the airport. There, between confessions and feelings, they will try to share their visions of Cuba, traveling between storms of truths, frustrations, doubts and hopes.

The story, that was written beginning in 2007, shows the contrasts of a country, between the modernity of Vedado and Miramar, and the “other Havana”, according to the director of the film. While the plot takes place in Paris, you can see images of the Caribbean island that is currently a focal point in the international community due to its recent commercial opening.

The film will be also screened in Miami and Los Angeles.

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