Manuel Lamar Cuervo

Manuel Lamar Cuervo (Lillo) was Colombian by birth, but in Cuba he created a family and a comic production that we still remember today. Matojo is one of his creations. He told simple stories that would bring easy laughter, and later in publications such as Pionero, Pa'lante or Zunzún the main characters would be pioneer children and their actions always led to reflection on behaviors or ways of acting. Matojo and his gang were among his most well-known characters although he also created others such as Chicho Durañón.

Lillo was born in Bogotá, Colombia, where his father worked as an ambassador. The artist, who never studied pictorial arts, graduated in Diplomatic and Consular Law from the University of La Habana in 1957 and over time also earned a degree in Journalism.

For more than four decades, Lillo worked in film and television. In turn, he was responsible for bringing to life "Patricia", "Sapito Pérez", "Chicho Durañón", "Titina" and about twenty other characters that were central to the comic strips of the weekly publications "Pa' lante", "Pionero", "Zun-Zún" and "DDT".

A versatile artist, Lillo's work encompassed film, television, caricature and comics. At the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Arts and Industry (ICAIC) he produced the short films: "Matojo va a la playa", "Buenos días Matojo" and "Matojo va la escuela". In his works stands out the concern for leaving a lesson for the entire family.

Lillo's work also includes Olympic Humor, Everyday Humor, Matojo and his Friends, among about twenty books published both within and outside the Island.

In 1992, Lillo settled in Miami, Florida, where he continued collaborating sporadically with some publications.

Filmography
Direction
Buenos días, Matojo (1982)
/ Animation
Through the characters of the Matojo comic strips, a call is made to the practice of formal education in both children and adults. ...

Matojo va a la escuela (1985)
/
Through five stories, this animated film shows some relationships between adults and school children, to make us reflect on our responsibilities. ...

Matojo no nada, nada (1981)
/
Matojo doesn't know how to swim and is afraid of water. A pioneer guide explains to him the advantages of knowing how to swim. Matojo becomes aware of it. In the end he learns. ...

Matojo va a la playa (1983)
/
Matojo goes to the beach with his little friends. There they witness a risky adventure of his dad who is a spearfisher. ...

Screenplay
Buenos días, Matojo (1982)
/
Through the characters of the Matojo comic strips, a call is made to the practice of formal education in both children and adults. ...

Matojo va a la escuela (1985)
/
Through five stories, this animated film shows some relationships between adults and school children, to make us reflect on our responsibilities. ...

Matojo no nada, nada (1981)
/
Matojo doesn't know how to swim and is afraid of water. A pioneer guide explains to him the advantages of knowing how to swim. Matojo becomes aware of it. In the end he learns. ...

Matojo va a la playa (1983)
/
Matojo goes to the beach with his little friends. There they witness a risky adventure of his dad who is a spearfisher. ...