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Cuban filmmaker Pavel Giroud reported on his social media that the 40th edition of the International Jazz Plaza Festival canceled the screening of his documentary "Manteca, mondongo y bacalao con pan" (2009), which was scheduled for Saturday, February 1, as part of the event's audiovisual lineup.
“Apparently, they regretted scheduling my documentary 'Manteca, mondongo y bacalao con pan' at the 23 and 12 cinema (part of the Jazz Festival program),” the filmmaker emphasized on Facebook.
The post was accompanied by an image of the schedule, which shows the "crude" way in which his audiovisual was censored: "And it was very expensive to print the new schedule," he pointed out sarcastically.
The event sparked support for the artist as well as condemnation of this new instance of censorship in Cuba.
One of them was the Observatory of Cultural Rights (ODC), which denounced on Facebook “the climate of censorship that, once again, characterizes the Jazz Plaza Festival.”
"In what seemed to be a cultural event characterized solely by art, and where the curating by the Ministry of Culture of Cuba would refrain from making negative interventions, traces of censorship are already becoming apparent," she emphasized.
Additionally, he emphasized that “this author has been highlighted by the propaganda machinery of the Cuban Government, following his film ‘El Caso Padilla’; a revealing work of the repressive cultural policy of the Cuban Revolution.”
Finally, the ODC considered that the act of censorship is a "violation of the cultural rights of the audience attending Jazz Plaza 2025," and urged "the participating creators to commit to artistic freedom," although it acknowledged that the event is "a space lacking this."
In January, the state channel Cubavisión announced through its official Facebook page the withdrawal of the telenovela “Violetas de Agua”, which was broadcast daily at 2:00 p.m.
According to the statement, the decision is due to "technical reasons," although the announcement has sparked speculation among viewers, potentially representing another example of censorship.
However, the decision has sparked controversy on social media after it was revealed that the soap opera included the participation of the controversial influencer and opponent of the Cuban regime Alexander Otaola.
Although Cubavisión has not made an official mention of it, Otaola himself reacted on his YouTube program, in a sarcastic and critical tone, pointing out what he considered "a display of the mediocrity and censorship" that, according to him, characterizes the official media of the island.
But the issue is not new. The Assembly of Cuban Filmmakers (ACC) closed the year 2024 with a strong call for the defense of creative freedom and the denunciation of the censorship affecting the world of audiovisuals.
In a statement released on its official Facebook profile, the organization highlighted the challenges faced by independent filmmakers and called for a change in the country's cultural policies.
Frequently Asked Questions about Censorship at the Jazz Plaza Festival in Havana
Why was Pavel Giroud's documentary censored at the Jazz Plaza Festival?
The documentary by Pavel Giroud was censored due to the repressive cultural policy of the Cuban regime, which often resorts to censorship to prevent the dissemination of works critical of the government. This action reflects the lack of freedom of expression and the repression that artists face in Cuba.
What reactions has the censorship of the documentary at the Jazz Plaza Festival provoked?
The censorship of Pavel Giroud's documentary has generated support for the filmmaker and rejection of the Cuban regime. Organizations like the Cultural Rights Observatory have denounced the situation and emphasized the prevailing climate of censorship at cultural events on the island, urging creators to commit to artistic freedom.
How does censorship affect cultural events like the Jazz Plaza Festival?
Censorship in cultural events restricts artistic diversity and freedom of expression, impacting both artists and the audience. In the case of the Jazz Plaza Festival, the cultural rights of attendees are violated, as they are unable to access certain works, perpetuating an environment of control and repression over creators.
What other cases of censorship have recently occurred at cultural events in Cuba?
Recently, several cases of censorship have been reported at cultural events in Cuba. For example, the short film "Matar a un hombre" was censored at the International Festival of New Latin American Cinema for addressing critical themes regarding the Cuban regime. These cases reflect a worrying trend of repression against artistic freedom on the island.
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