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CURRENT FILMMAKER TOURS

Clip from In the Wrong Body

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Cuban Filmmaker Marilyn Solaya to Tour US, Fall 2013

hosp026-1Ms. Solya has had a unique trajectory in Cuban cinema, starting out as film actress in films such as Tomás Gutiérrez Alea y Juan Carlos Tabío’s, renowned, Strawberry and Chocolate (Fresa y Chocolate) and then returning to film school to study Directing. Ms. Solaya will be presenting her award winning documentary feature, In the Wrong Body (En el cuerpo equivocado) at US universities, film festivals, and community centers throughout October, 2013.
 
In the Wrong Body tells the story of Mavi Susel, who underwent the first gender reassignment operation in Cuba in 1988. In the Wrong Body explores such timely issues as the meaning of femininity in the macho and patriarchal society in Cuba where many stereotypes and prejudices still exist. Mariela Castro, Director of the Cuban National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) was a primary consultant on the film. The film was produced as part of the Latin American DocTV initiative.
 
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Ms. Solaya’s documentary work is based on thorough investigation of the subject matter and the people with whom she is collaborating. Ms. Solaya has been doing public presentations with her films both inside and outside of Cuba and can speak to various issues regarding the role of gender in Cuban society both from a historical and feminist perspective, what it means to be a feminist filmmaker in contemporary Cuba, and her vision of the future for women filmmakers in Cuba.
 
This is AMI’s fourth US Cuban filmmaker tour. In the spring of 2011, AMI brought filmmaker Carlos Rodriguez, who works with TV Serrana, the community media project based in the Sierra Maestra Mountains and the tour visited 13 US universities. In fall of 2011, AMI toured with award winning documentary filmmaker, Rigoberto Jiménez who runs the First Year Program at the renowned International Film and Television School located outside of Havana. Our last tour was with Afro-Cuban filmmaker Karel Ducasse in October, 2012. AMI is distributing Karel Ducasse’s documentary, Zone of Silence, about artistic censorship in Cuba. Marilyn will be traveling with AMI Director, Alexandra Halkin who will also serve as her translator.
 
There are dates available in October to book a presentation, we will be visiting various locations in the US. We are asking for an honorarium (paid to AMI) plus housing and transportation for two people. AMI will be covering Marilyn’s airfare from Havana to the US as well as the visa costs.

Cristo025 2BIO: Marilyn Solaya

Ms. Solaya began her career as an actress appearing in such films as Strawberry and Chocolate (Fresa y Chocolate)in 1993, Directed by Tomás Gutiérrez Alea y Juan Carlos Tabío; Wake up Love (Despabílate amor), 1996, Directed by Eliseo Subiela. Ms. Solaya has also acted in a number of short films and co-productions produced by the ICAIC (Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry) and the International Film and Television School in San Antonio de los Baños. Ms. Solaya then returned to study at the ISA (Superior Art Institute) where she graduated with a degree in Film with a specialization in Directing. Ms. Solaya has written a number of scripts and directed several documentaries such as; Look at me my Love (Mirame mi amor), 2002. She is currently directing the Wedding Dress (Vestido de novia), a feature film based on her documentary, In the Wrong Body (En el cuerpo equivocado), 2010, the story of Mavi Susel, who underwent the first gender reassignment operation in Cuba in 1988.
 
In the Wrong Body (En el cuerpo equivocado), 55 min., 2010, Spanish with English subtitles