Cuba, 1990Reinaldo is a young man who has recently escaped from a juvenile correctional facility and is trying to survive on the streets of Havana. Hope, disappointment, rum, good humor and, above all, hunger accompany him on his wanderings, until he meets Magda and Yunisleidy, also survivors like him. Agustí Villaronga writes and directs The King of Havanaa moving social drama, winner of the Silver Shell for Best Actress for the role of the Cuban Yordanka Airy.
The Catalan filmmaker draws An antihero who is both a victim and an executioner of his own situation. Everything is grey, disheartening, dirty and suffocating, putting the audience on the ropes. Hypnotic, immersive, with two surprising performances, including that of its young protagonist played by Maykol David Tortolowhom we have not seen again in other productions, but who is essential to support the weight of the plot, that of a rogue who survives in a hasty manner.
Scene from ‘The King of Havana’, by Agustí Villaronga
Based on a novel
The film is based on the novel of the same name scrutinized by the Cuban author and journalist Peter John Gutierrez. A raw book, full of action and short sentences that advances mixing comedy and drama in equal parts. There are passages with descriptions stark and others with a surreal touch. A real challenge when adapting it to the big screen, which Villaronga nevertheless manages to overcome with ease.
The jump to the cinema has a fairly faithful reproduction and no concessions to the novel The King of Havana. Especially that universe of dark spaces and characters that They are moved by the inertia of their instincts: hunger, thirst, love and sex.. Villaronga focuses especially on the relationship of the young protagonist with two very particular prostitutes: a street vendor with a lot of nerve and a transsexual played by the Cuban actor. Hector Medina.
‘The King of Havana’ (2015)
Chanel Terrero is Yamile
Chanel has also made her first steps on the big screen. Spain’s representative at Eurovision 2022 She is a 360º woman: she sings, dances and acts! The Cuban-born artist has been part of great musicals in our music scene such as ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘Flashdance’ or ‘The Bodyguard’.
But that’s not all. We have seen Chanel participate in television series such as ‘Águila Roja’, ‘Centro Médico’, ‘El continental’ or ‘La peinado’. She has also starred in the fictions ‘Cupido’ and ‘Wake up’ by Playz. Although one of the most notable works is in the cinema with The King of HavanaHer Cuban origins and her acting skills made her the perfect candidate to become a star here. Yamiléa prostitute.
Four Gaudí awards and a Concha in San Sebastian
The King of Havana was one of the great surprises of 2015, a simple piece, but with a very powerful social background that was very well received at the San Sebastian Film Festival, where it was awarded the Silver Shell for Best Actress, for Yordanka Ariosa. It was the first of many other awards, Agustí Villaronga’s film received three Goya nominations and won four Gaudí awards.
The film El rey de la Habana is added to the RTVE Play catalogue, where you can also find new additions from Spanish cinema such as As bestas, Las consecuencias or Bajocero and the best international cinema with titles such as 1917 o Sophie’s Choice. Enjoy now The King of Havana.
