Satirical Comments by Actress Andrea Doimeadiós in the Opening Ceremony of the Latin American Film Festival

December 5, 2022

Cuban actress Andrea Doimeadiós hosted the opening gala of the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, during which she made several comments that have sparked controversy on social media.

The #FilmFestival of #Havana began with the hosting of #AndreaDoimeadiós, whose intervention has generated controversy. The actress used a sarcastic tone when referring to high-ranking government and political officials. Listen to the excerpt and tell us your opinion! pic.twitter.com/3j1zC3JPDb
— El Toque (@eltoquecom) December 5, 2022

The artist complained about having a "terrible" time because of the "cold" in the hall, with a humorous tone. "You just arrived, but I've been here since 10:00 am. I'm having a terrible time right now, but to honor cinema I'm going to do it as restrainedly as possible," she said to the audience.

"I just can't handle the cold, I think that's why I'm the only young Cuban actress who wants to stay in Cuba," she commented later. "But, nothing, everything very… restrained, just like the ICAIC (Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry) does with actors," she added sarcastically.

Doimeadiós then introduced Culture Minister Alpidio Alonso, and boos were heard from the audience. She also mentioned Rogelio Polanco, head of the Ideological Department of the Communist Party of Cuba.

"I've always wondered... What could they be talking about in that department? It's a question I've always had, just like Arnaldo's with his Talisman: 'Did you see what I told you?'. Nobody will ever know what he told them," she added.

A fragment of the actress's intervention circulates on social media, in which she is heard complaining about the cold in the hall, as well as satirizing the emigration of young actors and the salaries of this profession on the island.

Later, Doimeadiós referred to the leaders present at the gala with a sarcastic tone, including the Minister of Culture, Alpidio Alonso, and the Head of the Ideological Department of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), Rogelio Polanco.

In the audio, applause from the audience can also be heard in response to the artist's comments; in fact, some non-state media outlets have referred to the booing after the presentation of the island's culture minister.

In the tone of her character Noelia Bermellón, the actress commented "I just can't handle the cold, I think that's why I'm the only young Cuban actress who wants to stay in Cuba."

Then, with an evident sarcastic tone, she assured that everything would be "very restrained, economizing resources, just like the ICAIC does with actors' salaries". A comment that also drew laughter and applause from those present.

Finally, after introducing the Head of the Ideological Department of the PCC, Doimeadiós ironized that "I've always wondered what they talk about in that department" and assured that "it's a question I've always had."

Through social media, some internet users have commented on the young artist's intervention, such as the renowned Cuban actress María Isabel Díaz Lago: "Andrea Doimeadiós Peralta at the inauguration of the International Film Festival Havana with so much humor points out the very sad reality that Cuban artists and people live."

Also a user who calls herself Lara Croft, wrote on her Facebook profile that "Andrea Doimeadiós, who was in charge of presenting the Opening Gala of the Latin American Film Festival, held on the 2nd of this month, makes masterful use of satire as a theatrical resource and brings to light great pearls about the situation that workers in that art form live today, as well as questions and exposes other matters related to everything concerning that sector of art."

Troubadour Ray Fernández also made reference to the controversy on social media and assured: "Guilty of nothing! Art is not a mirror to reflect the world, but a hammer with which to strike it. Good for her!"

Andrea Doimeadiós's comments have also generated some criticism, such as this one from user Tere Felipe, who posted: "The girl greeted the presence of Inés María Chapman, the culture minister and Rogelio Polanco… I won't repeat here what the young woman said, everyone already knows it… In any case, she managed to masterfully use the event opportunistically, for me opportunism is one of the most cowardly things that could exist…".

On the other hand, there are more comments supporting Doimeadiós's words. Internet user Edmundo Dantés Junior felt this way on Facebook: "Personally, I believe that the intelligence of young people and everyone in general, who use humor and irony to talk (as she did, whether we like her as an actress or not) about Cuba's problems, is something they will never be able to silence, no matter how many laws they pass… The complicity of these internal jokes along with the people who day after day live, breathe, understand and talk about what really matters, they won't be able to silence…".

Watch video at https://twitter.com/i/status/1599566214774366209