"Pirate Parties" at La Rampa Cinema This Summer

Carlitos already has his costume and calculated exactly how many blocks he and his grandfather must walk to get from the Cayo Hueso neighborhood to La Rampa Cinema. Furthermore, he convinced his grandfather to invite several friends along for the expedition, reasoning that any self-respecting pirate captain "must lead a trustworthy crew."

Carlitos's parents did not rent costumes or accessories; they crafted them using items found around the house: a coat hanger became a hook, the young "buccaneer" cut an eyepatch from an old shirt while his mother hand-sewed the holding straps, and they drew a skull on an old straw hat. Carlitos thought this was brilliant, as he considers himself, ultimately, a "Cuban pirate."

July 25th—Carlitos's pirate debut—has not yet arrived, but the initiative promoted as part of the 10th edition of the Summer Film Festival is already proving its worth: it is not merely a single event, but an opportunity to create, dream, and enjoy time with family.

The Animation Studios of the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC) have teamed up this summer with the "Feel Green" Local Development Project (PDL), associated with the Office of the Historian of the City, to organize "Pirate Parties" every Saturday and Sunday in July and August at Havana's La Rampa Cinema.

The initial event celebrated the 45th anniversary of Capitán Plin, as an official stated to the press: "There was no better way to pay tribute to that icon of graphic novels, that endearing friend, and that giant of audiovisual art who was Jorge Oliver, so we held that initial trial run, which was warmly received."

The official added: "What makes this project interesting is that it combines a variety of games—from swordplay and pinning the tail on a dragon to educational activities designed for interactive play—turning La Rampa Cinema into a hive of activity. We also screen audiovisual content—of course, without ever renouncing our national cinema—and while the adults end up completely exhausted, the children end up happy, which is what truly matters."

Furthermore, the official announced that "in August there will be film premieres and revivals of movies such as 'Fernanda y el mensaje a Figueroa,' a feature film by Mario Rivas, on Thursday the 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Premieres will include a newly produced medium-length film titled 'Doble Play' on Thursday the 16th at 5:00 p.m. at La Rampa Cinema. On Friday the 17th, additional episodes of 'Fernanda' will be screened, along with the premiere of the first episode of a series titled 'Titoverse'—a pilot episode that will set the direction for this production."

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff