Documentary Premiere Held About Omara Durand

November 26, 2024

The documentary "El adiós dorado de La Mejor," dedicated to the retirement of Paralympic champion Omara Durand, had its premiere this morning in the Alfredo Guevara hall at Pabellón Cuba, on the same day as the distinguished athlete's 33rd birthday.

The material, 23 minutes and 40 seconds long, made by journalist Yisel Filiú, brings us closer to Omara after her last Olympic achievement, but also to the athlete "beyond the tracks. It's the Omara of flesh and blood, how she is at home, with her family," said Filiú.

The reporter thanked everyone who collaborated in one way or another on the documentary, especially the athlete's family. "Happy because they allowed us to insert ourselves into Omara's daily life, as filming took several days.

"Since we couldn't accompany her during all the Paralympic Games, it was a documentary made in record time, because we wanted to premiere it on this day, her birthday, and for it to serve as the graduation project for my television directing course. We did it from a retrospective perspective, so it would convey the emotions she felt.

"The intention was not to talk about her entire athletic career but to focus on the retirement process."

Regarding what Omara represents for Cuba, she highlighted that she is not only "an icon of the Paralympic movement but of the Cuban sports movement. Her eleven Olympic titles that she has given us are incredible, an honor. To be allowed to share the moment of her retirement is a privilege, as is the fact that she is Cuban."

Regarding the photography, she highlighted the work done by cameramen Antonio Gómez, "El loquillo," Amado López and Rolando Santiago, whom she described as "true artists of the lens."

The material will premiere this Friday on national television. Photo: Calixto Llanes/Jit.

Filiú emphasized that it is a documentary made with "just the right resources and from the heart."

For her part, Omara highlighted the professional relationship she has maintained for years with Yisel Filiú. "We're both from Santiago. We've known each other for a long time. I remember when I returned from the 2007 Parapanamerican Games, she was waiting for me to break the news on Santiago television. She has always followed my career.

"To her and to Aurelio Prieto, who has also followed me since my first Paralympic Games, I can never say no.

"In three days we did everything she wanted. Her demands and dedication demonstrate her professional quality.

"Also, they were days when we spent time with family. Cameramen Amado López and "El Loquillo" did spectacular work.... Sometimes, I felt tired of talking and Amado would come and we'd laugh. And that way... Sometimes, filming was difficult because there was no electricity, but in the end everything turned out well.

"I'm very proud to have been the athlete selected for Yisel's graduation documentary as a director. And, after seeing it today, it has filled me with emotion," said Durand.

Finally, she thanked Yuniol Kindelán, her guide, and her coach Miriam Ferrer. "They weren't interviewed, but they appear because I speak of them in the documentary. They're my mainstay, always with me wherever I go."

Minutes before, Danilo Sirio, advisor for "Adiós dorado de La Mejor," commented during the presentation that they worked on Omara's retirement "because it moved our people deeply. Television and radio gave extensive coverage to the Paralympic Games and that was a special moment. The proposal was made briefly, working around Omara's schedule, her commitments..., because she was also taking a diplomacy course."

Yisel Filiú made the documentary. Photo: Calixto Llanes/Jit.

For his part, Rey Gómez, who was in charge of the narration of the event and co-presenter with Yisel Filiú of the prime news broadcast on television, summed up that the documentary "has a symbolism for the best, which are women. And that's what Omara and Yisel are, excellent professionals and human beings."

After enjoying the audiovisual piece, several institutions presented gifts to Omara on her birthday.

Present at the premiere were Teresa Amarelle Boué, secretary general of the FMC, Raúl Fornés Valenciano, first vice president of Inder, and Jorge Legañoa, vice president of the Institute of Information and Social Communication, as well as advisors from that institute.

The cultural moment was in charge of singer Annie Garcés, a personal friend of Omara Durand, who performed Cabalgando con Fidel and La Bayamesa.

The documentary will premiere on national television this Friday at seven in the evening, on Tele Rebelde.

During her career, Omara Durand achieved eleven Paralympic gold medals, 14 world medals and 13 parapanamerican medals.