Irish Film Institute -International Film Directory – Film Listing

VIVA

    • Director

      Paddy Breathnach

    • Credits

      Written by Mark O'Halloran

    • Principal Cast

      Héctor Medina, Jorge Perugorría, Luis Alberto García

  • Category

    Feature

This film was released 19th August 2016, and is no longer screening. ★★★★ Irish Times Against the fading grandeur of contemporary Havana, Jesus (Héctor Medina), an impoverished, sensitive young make-up assistant escapes the grim reality of everyday life through his backstage work in a drag club. When his dream of performing finally comes true, a stranger emerges from 
the crowd and punches him in the face. The stranger is his father, Angel (Jorge Perugorría), a boxer, absent for many years and now in need of a place to live. They struggle to cohabit peacefully and understand each other’s very different expectations. Viva presents an intoxicating glimpse into the vibrant and sensual world
 of the Cuban drag scene. A tender tale of familial love and redemption, it was richly deserving of Oscar recognition
 for director Paddy Breathnach (I Went Down, Man About Dog) and writer Mark O’Halloran (Adam and Paul, Garage). (Notes by Sunniva O'Flynn.) Spanish with English subtitles 

100 minutes, 2015

IFI CINEMAS TODAY


The IFI is supported
by The Arts Council

Arts Council of Ireland