Blaring salsa music erupted from Lecture Hall 150 as CSULB’s Cuban Film Festival screened its third movie of the semester last Thursday.
The ¡Viva Cuba! film festival was created with the intention of contradicting the negative portrayals of Cuba and promoting a more positive outlook on the island's future. While the event was more popular with CSULB faculty and staff, some students made an earnest effort to take time out of their school schedules for this noteworthy event.
"It’s really refreshing to see Cuba in a different light,” said Kathy Ruiz, an English major. “We always think of Cuba as having animosity with the U.S., but there is so much more to Cuba. It’s not all politics."
In a 2005 study by the University of Florida, the portrayal of Cuba in the media was studied, specifically in The New York Times. This study revealed that there is a "subtle signal in their lack of full acceptance in mainstream society." With that said, CSULB professors Bonnie Gasior and Nhora Serrano took it upon themselves to negate this study.
Additionally, this event was organized to begin precisely on the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution. The timeliness of the event was especially touching for some students.
“I went to the Latin American film festival last semester and really enjoyed it so I thought I'd like this too," said Edgar Rodriguez, an engineering major. "And I did."
The event has two more screenings for the semester. The next film is entitled "Suite Habana" and will be shown next Thursday in LH-150 at 7:00 p.m.
Image Courtesy of CSULB Official Website
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