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In the early hours of this Thursday, the prominent filmmaker Jorge Luis Sánchez passed away "due to an unexpected and devastating illness." He was the director of several feature films in Cuban cinema, including the movie El Benny (2005).
Several regime officials have expressed their sorrow over his death on social media and recalled that Sánchez was actively working on his last film projects, said the director of the Cuban Institute of Art and Cinematographic Industry (ICAIC), Alexis Triana.
At the beginning of this year, he started filming his latest movie, Performance, and was deeply involved in the preparation of his series La Causa Común, in which he explored crucial figures and moments in Cuban history, such as Martí, Gómez, and Maceo, he pointed out.
Recently, he traveled to Nicaragua to restore films such as El Benny and Buscando a Casal, while his work Cuba Libre inaugurated the First Cuban Film Festival in Washington, United States.
Triana stated that the filmmaker passed away due to "an unexpected and devastating illness," without providing further details.
The Cuban Institute of Cinema Art and Industry (ICAIC) also highlighted his filmography and expressed condolences to Sánchez's wife and children.
Abel Prieto, former Minister of Culture, recalled that Jorge Luis Sánchez leaves unfinished projects that explore historical moments and key patriotic figures for Cuba.
Sánchez, who served as the artistic deputy director at the Noticiero ICAIC Latinoamericano and president of the Muestra Joven ICAIC, directed numerous documentaries and feature films that have made a significant impact on contemporary Cuban cinema, among which are El Benny (2005), Irremediablemente juntos (2012), Cuba libre (2015), and Buscando a Casal (2019).
Born in Havana in 1960, he began his career at ICAIC in 1981. His first fictional film, El Benny, was presented at the Locarno International Film Festival in 2006, where the lead actor, Renny Arozarena, won the prestigious Boccalino prize.
The work was nominated for the Academy Awards and received numerous accolades, including recognition at the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema in Havana.
Notable Filmography
El Benny (2005) Irremediablemente juntos (2012) Cuba libre (2015) Buscando a Casal (2019) Dónde está Casal (1991) Atrapando espacio (1994) Y me gasto la vida (1997) Las sombras corrosivas de Fidelio Ponce aún (1999)
Frequently Asked Questions about Jorge Luis Sánchez and His Legacy in Cuban Cinema
Who was Jorge Luis Sánchez and what was his contribution to Cuban cinema?
Jorge Luis Sánchez was a prominent Cuban filmmaker, known for directing iconic films such as "El Benny" (2005) and "Cuba Libre" (2015). His work explored crucial moments in Cuban history and left a significant mark on contemporary cinema on the island.
What was the cause of Jorge Luis Sánchez's death?
Jorge Luis Sánchez passed away due to "an unexpected and devastating illness", as reported by the Cuban Institute of Art and Cinematographic Industry (ICAIC), although no further details about the illness have been specified.
What unfinished projects did Jorge Luis Sánchez leave behind?
Jorge Luis Sánchez was working on the film "Performance" and the series "La Causa Común", projects that explored historical Cuban figures such as Martí, Gómez, and Maceo. Unfortunately, these remained unfinished after his passing.
How has the artistic community reacted to the death of Jorge Luis Sánchez?
The Cuban artistic community has expressed its sorrow over the loss of Jorge Luis Sánchez. Several regime officials and colleagues from ICAIC mourned his death on social media, recalling his contributions to Cuban cinema and his legacy as a filmmaker.
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