Cuban Feature Film to Premiere as a Tribute to the Cartoon Series Fernanda
Fernanda y el extraño caso de El mensaje a Figueroa is the title of the feature film directed by the renowned filmmaker Mario Rivas Monzón that will be shown for the first time in Cuba on Sunday, March 19.
The premiere of this film, produced by the Animation Studios of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC, in its Spanish acronym), will take place at 10:00 a.m. at the Yara Cinema in the Cuban capital.
With this premiere, which will take place at the same time and date in the Riviera cinema marquee, the ICAIC Animation Studios will pay tribute to the series starring Fernanda, a popular character who will celebrate her 20th anniversary with children in 2023.
Fernanda and the Strange Case of Dr. X & Mr. Jai (2012) was the only feature film to date inspired by the cartoon, which is now part of more than 70 chapters based on stories that combine innocence with investigation and mystery.
The director, Mario Rivas, said at a press conference held at the ICAIC headquarters that the new audiovisual presentation is a gift for all members of the family, because although it is especially dedicated to children, the intention was not to frame it in age groups.
As for the plot, according to a synopsis written by Rivas himself, Fernanda meets a great-grandson of Colonel Figueroa, and because of his interest in the life of his great-grandfather, they undertake a journey with other friends to the time of the struggles for Cuban independence.
The actor and playwright Maikel Chávez, who also participated in this production by giving voice to eight characters, will celebrate this cinematographic event from his project La Peña de Federico on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 at 13:00 in the Multicine Infanta.
«This weekend we are going to share a dream of the whole team. I have always said that Fernanda has the possibility of reinventing herself with each new chapter, because Fernanda goes with the times, Fernanda and her team of friends resemble Cuba here and now; and the fact is that Mario is a child of Cuba here and now,» said Chávez.
At a press conference, the work of artists such as Irela Bravo, Rigoberto Ferrera, Teresita Rúa, Carlos Cabal, Ana Nora Calaza, Luis Samper, Xiomara Palacios, among others, was recognized during these 20 years.
The producer of the series, Lídice Marrero Miranda, thanked the team that was directly involved in the making of the film and considered that the result of the collective effort was a tribute to ICAIC on its anniversary.
The presentation was also attended by the assistant director of the film, Martha Pérez Costa, the deputy director of production and editor of the film, Armando Alba, as well as Aramís Acosta, who contributed ideas for the plot of Fernanda.
Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez
