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Darius Kaufmann and Eytan Jan Invite Audiences to Learn More About the History of Film with AL CALOR DE LOS AÑOS FRÍOS

Omar Sosa Topete

During the 21st Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), Eytan Jan and Darius Kaufmann presented Al calor de los años fríos (2022), a documentary they recently co-directed.

The film was presented by film critic Jorge Negrete and was attended by Daniela Michel, founder and general director of the festival, and Ava Cahen, general delegate of the Cannes Critics' Week.

The documentary tells the story of cinema in Cuba and the difficulties faced by contemporary filmmakers. What was once a mainstay for the Cuban Revolution - in its best days there were around 140 movie theaters in Havana - is now almost nonexistent, with barely a dozen theaters still in operation.

"There are many similarities with the panorama of the Mexican film industry. There are many things that unite us as countries and cinema is one of them," said Negrete during the presentation of the film.

The idea for the documentary came to Kaufmann while he was cleaning out his cinephile grandparents' apartment, where he found an incredible collection of 1960s movie posters from all over the world. The director immediately contacted his friend Eytan Jan and they began working on the project.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank Daniela Michel and the Morelia Selection Committee. It was very important for us to get this film out of Cuba and around the world," said Eytan Jan.

To begin the screening, Kaufmann invited the audience to enjoy the documentary and fall in love with a part of the history of cinema, just as its directors did.