Miami International Film Festival Premiere Captures Jose Martí’s Youth

Following a slew of awards and critical acclaim, Marti, el ojo del canario (Martí, the Eye of the Canary) will make its East Coast premiere at the 28th Annual Miami International Film Festival (MIFF) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 8, at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. Cuban director Fernando Perez is scheduled to attend.

Martí, the Eye of the Canary offers a look into the inner world of Cuban national hero and poet Jose Martí during his formative years. It is impressively set in Havana at the turn of the 20th Century and traces Martí’s life from age nine to 17, a period in Cuban history when he witnessed injustices perpetuated by the Spanish colonial rulers, which helped shaped his character.

Martí, the Eye of the Canary was named best Cuban film by the Cuban Association of Film Critics. It also won Colon de Plata Awards in Spain for Best Director and Best Photography, three Coral Awards and eight collateral awards at the Havana Film Festival. The film is in Spanish with English subtitles.

This is Perez’s third film showcased at the Festival – others were La vida es silbar (1998) and Suite Habana (2003).

WHAT: MIFF Presents Marti, el ojo del canario (Martí, the Eye of the Canary)

WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 8, at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Gusman Center for the Performing Arts, 174 E. Flagler St.

The 28th edition of the Miami International Film Festival runs March 4-13, 2011. Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, Feb. 11. For tickets to Opening Night and all other Festival screenings and special events, visit www.miamifilmfestival.com or call 305-405-MIFF (6433).

Spread the love!