Memories of Underdevelopment

Exhibition Opening and Film Screening: Friday 31st May 2013 

Doors: 6:30pm

Film:-  7.00pm (Free)

MEMORIES OF A LOST SHARK + free film screening MEMORIES OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT  (15)

With introduction by James Clifford Kent

Tickets are FREE but must be reserved or collected from Theatr Colwyn (www.theatrcolwyn.co.uk), Venue Cymru (www.venuecymru.co.uk) or by calling the box office (01492 577888/872000 )

MEMORIES OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT was made after Castro’s Revolution and is hailed by many as the greatest film ever made in Cuba. The protagonist, Sergio (Sergio) remains in Cuba whilst his family flees for the USA in the wake of the Bay of Pigs invasion. Although his furniture business has been taken over by the state, he still has income coming in as landlord of many apartment buildings. It is from the windows of the apartments, with a telescope, or from the streets of Havana, where he spends his time watching people, observing the changes in people and society that the Revolution has brought about.

“Those in favour cherish it as a landmark that avoids almost all of the radical cliches.” THE GUARDIAN

This Cuban film is being screened to tie in and launch with a new photographic exhibition – MEMORIES OF A LOST SHARK -  at the Oriel Colwyn gallery (located on the top floor of Theatr Colwyn) by James Clifford Kent with text by Edmundo Desnoes (who also wrote the novel on which the film is based).

MEMORIES OF A LOST SHARK is a new series of 18 black and white photographs and texts – an engagement that allows still photographs to become as fluid as Cuban history.

Photographs: James Clifford Kent (London, England, 1983) is an independent documentary photographer and lecturer in visual culture. Born in London with roots in Wales, he sees his photographic work as informed equally by his London and Welsh identities.

Texts: Edmundo Desnoes (Havana, Cuba, 1930) is a renowned Cuban writer and critic. He has published widely on the arts and is the author of the novel Memorias del subdesarrollo (Memories of Underdevelopment). This was adapted into one of the most influential Latin American films of all time by the Cuban filmmaker Tomás Gutiérrez Alea in 1968. He has lived in New York City since 1979.

Oriel Colwyn is privileged to support both James and Edmundo with the premiere of this new and exciting work.