Irish Film Institute -International Film Directory – Film Listing

Viva

    • Director

      Paddy Breathnach

    • Credits

      Writer:
      Mark O'Halloran

    • Principal Cast

      Héctor Medina
      Jorge Perugorría
      Luis Alberto García

  • Category

    Feature
    LGBTQIA+

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, Ireland, 2015, Colour

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