Santiago Álvarez Román. 1919–1998

Director. One of the most notable representers of the Cuban cinema and outstanding personality in the international arena.
His documentary Now (1965), about the racial descrimination in United States, has been considered by experts as the antecedent for the current video clip. He made important works such as Ciclón, Muerte al invasor, Hanoi, Martes 13, L.B.J y 79 primaveras, classical pieces from the contemporary cinematography.

Founder and director of Noticiero ICAIC Latinoamericano, his creation was closely related to the active presence of journalism, the reflex of important historical events such the Viet Nam war and the mercenary invasion to Cuba in 1961, the excellent use of the setting and the use of the soundtrack as indivisible part of the dramatic action. He defended always the importance of cinematographic journalism as enhancing element of the documentary and he affirmed: ''I inform the events taking as starting point the idea I have about these events''. To acknowledge his labor as filmmaker he received more than 80 first prizes at international festivals and national contests.


He was nominated as member of the Arts Academy from the Democratic Republic of Germany and perpetual teacher from San Antonio de los Baños International School of Cinema. He was assesor of the Culture Minister of Cuba and President of the National Federation of Cinema Clubs and member, until 1986, of the National Assembly of Poder Popular.

He obtained the titles of Gran Brujo de los Andes (Great Sorcerer of the Andes) and Cronista del Tercer Mundo (Chronicler of the Third World). Among the diverse prizes and distinctions we can highlight the Félix Elmuza Order, the Cuban cultural greatest recognition conferred by the Union of Journalists of Cuba, Félix Varela Order of First Grade, the highest cultural distinction nad the Special Coral Prize to the his entire body of work at the X Havana Film Festival, among others.

In his honor, the International Festival of Documentaries Santiago Álvarez in Memoriam is held every year in Santiago de Cuba. He died at Havana City on may 20, 1998.

Selection of Works:

1961- Muerte al invasor (en codirección con Tomás Gutiérrez Alea)
1965- Now; Hanoi, martes 13
1977- Mi hermano Fidel
1980- La guerra necesaria; Celia, imagen del pueblo (Noticiero No.953)
1987- BrasCuba
1988- Signo de los nuevos tiempos¡...1999...!; Desafío al imperio
1994- Cubanos en Barranquilla (vídeo)
1997- Concierto para la vida (vídeo); La isla de la música (vídeo)


Videos on this director available at our Cuban Videos Shop