Elpidio Valdés Lights Up the Screen at the Bogotá Cinematheque

With three animated shorts from the Cuban series Elpidio Valdés, the Bogotá Cinematheque is offering film enthusiasts a glimpse of the iconic saga, featured as part of the fifth edition of the Restored Cycle.

The program includes Elpidio Valdés contra el tren militar (1974), Una aventura de Elpidio Valdés (1974), and Clarín mambí (1976), all directed by Juan Padrón (1969–2020). Their restoration was carried out by the Colombian Film Heritage Foundation (Fundación Patrimonio Fílmico Colombiano).

The screenings, beginning today, will also feature a Q&A session with Luciano Castillo, director of the Cuban Cinematheque, and Alexandra Falla, director of the Colombian Film Heritage Foundation.

The Cuban shorts now on display underwent a rigorous process using state-of-the-art technology to repair the damage caused by time, wear, and humidity.

This effort included diagnostics of the original 35-millimeter reels, external cleaning, as well as color and sound correction, all while striving to maintain maximum fidelity to the original material and the artistic intent of its creator.

The Elpidio Valdés cartoons—centered on a charismatic Cuban independence fighter during the war against Spain—are regarded as cultural treasures not only for the island’s identity but also for Latin America as a whole.

The fifth Restored Cycle will also feature La paga, a Colombian-Venezuelan co-production directed by Ciro Durán in 1962; the Argentine western Hombre de la esquina rosada (1962); Ecuador’s Daquilema (1981); and Peru’s Runan Caycu (1973).

Other highlights include Colombia’s Dale duro Cayetano (1974) and Brazil’s También somos hermanos (1949), both exploring the impact of racism on the lives of Afro-descendant communities in South America.

The Peruvian film Antuca (1992) and Mexico’s Danzón (1991) are also part of the lineup.

In addition, Colombian shorts Los Tolimenses Go West (1980) and El pasajero de la noche (1989) round out the program.