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The life and career of the legendary Cuban boxer Teófilo Stevenson will be brought to the big screen in a co-production between Cuba and Russia, with a script and direction by Alejandro Gil.
According to the filmmaker, the film, titled "Teófilo," will not be biographical in nature; rather, it will highlight the life of the three-time Olympic and world champion, as well as his essentially human character.
With a duration of about two hours, the film will be shot in Havana and Las Tunas, the latter being the birthplace of the heavyweight boxer. The final stage of filming will take place in Russia, where he won his third Olympic gold medal at Moscow 80, a victory that made him the only amateur boxer to achieve three titles in the same division.
The role of Stevenson will be played by Alejandro Phillips in his debut on the big screen. Meanwhile, Kike Quiñones will portray the coach Alcides Sagarra.
Phillips, a fourth-year acting student at the Higher Institute of Art (ISA) in Havana, described being selected for the lead role as a "challenge" and a "source of pride."
"I have had to make an extra effort to imitate Teófilo during continuous training sessions at the Rafael Trejo gym in Havana," he said, as quoted by Cubadebate.
Born in 1952 in Delicias, an urban settlement in the municipality of Puerto Padre, Stevenson obtained all the titles awarded by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
In 20 years, he won 301 of the 321 fights he participated in. His three Olympic titles were in Munich 1972, Montreal 1976, and Moscow 80, and he might have been able to achieve two more, had it not been for the Cuban government's decision not to attend Los Angeles 84 and Seoul 88.
He retired from active sports in 1988 and went on to work at the Cuban Boxing Federation, where he served as vice president, as well as on the national commission for the care of retired and active athletes of the National Institute of Sports and Recreation (INDER).
He passed away in 2012 at the age of 60 from ischemic heart disease.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Teófilo Stevenson Movie
What will the movie about Teófilo Stevenson be about?
The movie "Teófilo" will not be a biography, but rather it will highlight the life of three-time Olympic and world champion Teófilo Stevenson and his human character. The film aims to emphasize Stevenson's essence beyond his sports achievements.
Who will participate in the film about Teófilo Stevenson?
The role of Teófilo Stevenson will be played by Alejandro Phillips, marking his debut on the big screen. Kike Quiñones will portray coach Alcides Sagarra. Alejandro Gil will be the director of this co-production between Cuba and Russia.
Why is Russia interested in co-producing the movie about Teófilo Stevenson?
Russia expressed interest in co-producing the film due to the close historical relationship between Teófilo Stevenson and Soviet boxing. Stevenson had influential Soviet coaches, and he won his third Olympic gold medal in Moscow 1980.
Where will the movie "Teófilo" be filmed?
The movie will be filmed primarily in Havana and Las Tunas, Cuba, and also in Russia. The chosen locations include significant sites in the life of Teófilo Stevenson.
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