They Will Digitalize to Preserve the Work of Santiago Álvarez and Juan Padrón

January 1, 2023

The Cuban Institute of Film Art and Industry (ICAIC) announced the digitalization in 2023 of 87 documentaries by Santiago Álvarez, as well as the 64 titles by Juan Padrón filmed in 35 millimeters (mm).

Through its Facebook profile, the Cuban state institution stated that "beyond becoming a memory, the action of making the past a living memory is the incentive and motivation of archaeologists of image and sound".

In the note, the director of Development and Heritage of ICAIC, Francisco Cordero Matienzo, warned about the necessary state of conservation and the conditions of the film works that must be subjected to a process of rigorous cleaning and restoration to bring them to formats that allow their safeguarding.

Furthermore, Cordero pointed out "the different work groups diversified in sectors that make up the heritage section, divided into the video library, photo library, restoration, conservation, film archives and digitalization, whose work complements each other to keep active and in good condition film works of relevance in national culture".

The information adds that the executive highlighted the digitalization of the ICAIC Latin American Newsreels and almost 20 titles of the most important works of national cinema.

Finally, ICAIC recalled that the work carried out not only includes the conservation of audiovisual materials but also of furniture, automobiles, posters, blueprints, scripts, props, costumes, costume jewelry, set dressing and other elements associated with the history and daily life of film production, some of which have the status of heritage assets.

"Driven by the cultural and historical importance of the works produced by ICAIC, the Department of Development and Heritage remains dedicated to rescuing memory", the source concluded.

Juan Padrón is the creator of the popular character Elpidio Valdés, as well as the acclaimed film "Vampires in Havana". At his death in March 2020 he held the National Film Prize, awarded in 2008.

For his part, filmmaker Santiago Álvarez stood out for his documentary work. He directed 1492 ICAIC Latin American Newsreels, 600 of which were made by him, nearly 120 documentaries in 35 mm and 12 videos in betacam format. Álvarez died in May 1998 and an international documentary festival is currently held in his memory bearing his name and organized by ICAIC.