The King of Havana

« The King Of Havana tells the story of Reinaldo, a teenager recently escaped from a correctional facility; his lack of scruples and sneaky ways his only defence on the mean streets of 1990s Havana during Cuba’s “Special Period” »

Synopsis

Recently escaped from reformatory, young Reinaldo struggles to get by in the streets of Havana in the late 90s, one of the worst decades for Cuban society.
Hopes, disillusionment, rum, good humor and above all hunger, accompany him in his wanderings, until he meets Magda and Yunisleidy, survivors like himself. In one or the other’s arms, he will try to escape the material and moral misery surrounding him, living love, passion, tenderness and uninhibited sex to the limit.

Awards

  • Silver Seashell 2015 for Best Actress – Yordanka Ariosa at the 63rd San Sebastián International Film Festival
  • Won 4 Gaudí Awards at the 8th Gaudí Awards, Barcelona 2016, for Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score and Best Film Editing
  • Nominated for 3 Goya Awards at the 30th Goya Awards, Madrid 2016 for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best New Actress – Yordanka Ariosa

Festivals

  • 33rd Miami International Film Festival, 2016 – main competition
  • 30th Guadalajara International Film Festival, Mexico 2016 – main competition

Director

Filmography

  • 2015 The King of Havana
  • 2011 Black Bread
  • 2000 The Sea
  • 1989 Moon child
  • 1986 In A Glass Cage

Cast

Mail David, Yordanka Ariosa, Héctor Medina Valdés, Jean Luis Burgos

Crew

Screenplay: Agustí Villaronga
Based on: the novel by Pedro Juan Gutierrez
Cinematography: Josep M. Civit
Editing: Raúl Román
Music: Joan Valent
Producers: Luisa Matienzo, Gabriel Tineo, Celines Toribio, Dan Wechsler
Production: Pandora Cinema, Tusitala Producciones Cinematográficas S.L., Bord Cadre films (CH)

Technical Data

Format: 2.35 : 1
Runtime: 125′
Released: 2015
Language: Spanish
Subtitles: English, French

 

Original title: El Rey de la Habana