Rolando Chiong, Ángel Ruz Pérez, Yakie Chang and Andrea Doimeadiós

December 18, 2021

Since 1995 the Hermanos Saiz Association (AHS) has awarded prizes and scholarships to recognize the most outstanding exponents of young Cuban art in various artistic expressions. Competition takes place in all areas of artistic creation and as time has passed, some awards have been incorporated such as the documentary screenplay prize.

Its national headquarters at the Cuba Pavilion hosted this time the presence of young intellectuals and award-winning artists and members of the juries that gave prestige to this awards ceremony, as well as important figures from Cuban intellectuality and art who received, for their work and closeness to the organization, the seal for the 35 years of the AHS.

The Adolfo Llauradó Award, aimed at recognizing performances among the most novice, has been awarded for several years, but this one had special conditions as stated in the minutes:

"In the present edition of the Adolfo Llauradó Award, the jury made up of theater critic and researcher Vivian Martínez Tabares, playwright Roberto Viña and television critic Paquita de Armas; meets to analyze only the acting category in television, due to the disruptions caused by the pandemic regarding the production of theatrical performances and film materials. The National Board of the AHS, together with the jury, agreed to analyze the theatrical proposals that were filmed and the theatrical premieres that occurred at the end of the year for the next edition. Likewise, the film premieres that occurred in 2021 will be included in the next jury deliberation."

In male acting there was a tie for the prize. Winners were Rolando Chiong Estévez, for his performance in Chapter 10 Decision of the television series Rompiendo el silencio and the Cuban telenovela Vuelve a mirar, and Ángel Ramón Ruz Pérez, for his leading role in chapter 9 Yakie Chang, in Promesas.

It is noted that: "Both actors demonstrated in their roles, versatility and dedication, when facing characters that were not easy and proved believable to viewers."

Also in male acting, there was a mention for David Pereira Peña, for the telenovela Vuelve a mirar, and the telefilm Delantero, screened in Una calle mil caminos. The jury noted that: "For his performance in a secondary role he shows that he is ready for greater endeavors, so a mention is conferred upon him."

Roly Chiong told me in an interview about Alexis, the gay character from Rompiendo el silencio, and Yunior the pimp from Vuelve a mirar:

"For example, in Rompiendo el silencio, the story was based on real events, and it was even filmed in the same house where it all happened; it happened that on the day of filming the scene in which Alexis and Leonel eat together at the table, the owner of the house, who was the character I was playing, was present that day on set and took out a photo he had saved, from that day, and it turns out that the scene my father had staged was identical to the one in the photo, the same places, everything, and this without having seen the photo before. It was impressive, really, something that gives you goosebumps.

"And with the telenovela Vuelve a mirar it happened that I was also doing De Amores y Esperanzas and both characters were very different, so I had one day filming the novela with Yunior and the next day they were the lawyers, and I was in the office with Yunior who wouldn't leave me alone, until the director called me and said: Hey!, this is too aggressive. That's when I got it and then I let go of the character."

In female acting Andrea Doimeadiós Peralta was deserving of the award for her role in La hora de Noelia. The jury stated "With Andrea Doimeadiós's Noelia, television has once again had an organic comic character, who can grow in the future, but from her first appearance she was convincing."

Mentions were conferred to Grisell de las Nieves Monzón Rodríguez, for her character Daniela in Vuelve a mirar, in which she demonstrates "a fresh and convincing performance" and Venecia Feria Borjas, for Juntos, pero no Revueltos, in which "she managed to confirm what a good actress she is in comedy."

Andrea, that is, Noelia confessed to me in a recent conversation:

"- Why actress? Did you dream of it since childhood?

-Yes, since I was a child I always knew I wanted to be an actress.

That answer, it seems, gives me the opportunity for the conversation I had with Noelia Bermellón:

- Dear Noelia, can you tell me how you came about?

- I was born like everyone else. I have beautiful memories of those years. The year 1994 was passing. A beautiful, special period. We get so excited seeing the photos that we decided to burn the memories.

- And that language that you use, so... is it in the script or do you invent some words?

- Yes, friend, I have a script that subscribes me, but I also have the courage to express myself in an explicit way.

- How do you feel about Monica always breaking the wall?

- What wall? Did Monica break the wall? Why? I don't understand, Paquita. Did something happen to Monica? Tell me, I don't know anything about anything

- Do people recognize you on the street when you take off the head wraps and puffy hairstyles?

-First of all, Paquita, I ask for your respect because I am answering this interview for you during lunch time. I don't wear head wraps. My costume is of high imposture and is designed by Elio Vives. I don't understand the tacitness of your question because the public knows me for my simplicity.

- If they recognize you, what do they say to you?

- They have said many nice things to me. That I am impressive, invaluable and that my ineptitude is more and more noticeable. I am very grateful, dear Paqui, what else can I say?

- Is it true that there will be another bermellónic batch?

- I can't advance any batch, only the Arte Siete batch because I am an intimate friend of Martha Araujo.

- What differences will it have with the first one?

- You talk to me about differences and I must say that I am a defender of equality, from an indefensible perspective. Peace and love for everyone. I adore you all!

- What did you feel when you divided the public between your confessed lovers and those who didn't want Noelia?

-It's incredible how in the same family nucleus I have sympathizing detractors and uncertain followers. There is a lot of polimitization. But let's give time to time so that the empathizers sympathize. There is a lot of polimitization. But let's give time to time so that the empathizers sympathize."

- What lessons did you, Doime and Monica draw from those reactions?

- Infinite teachings. They know a lot of things because they already have an immediate work. I'm grateful to them for everything.

- Something else you'd like to say

- Right now, like this, nothing comes to mind. Well, yes, that if someone from the town knows where I can buy oil, tell me on my social networks. Thank you, Paquita, for giving me this implausible interview. I'm going to finish lunch now. Thank you, and follow me on my social networks, it's never too late if it's early."