The International Festival of the New Latin American Cinema is featuring "Dance of My Heart," Santa Fe College's film about the life of choreographer Alberto Alonso, on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Havana, Cuba. The main subject of the film, the late Alberto Alonso, co-founded the Cuban style of ballet and served as an artist-in-residence with the SFC dance program for the last 15 years of his life. SFC is sending a five-member delegation to Cuba to represent the college and SFC dance faculty member, Sonia Alonso, Alberto's widow.

The International Festival of the New Latin American Cinema featuring "Dance of My Heart," Santa Fe College's film about the life of choreographer Alberto Alonso, was shown on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Havana, Cuba. The main subject of the film, the late Alberto Alonso, co-founded the Cuban style of ballet and served as an artist-in-residence with the SFC dance program for the last 15 years of his life. SFC sent a five-member delegation to Cuba to represent the college and SFC dance faculty member, Sonia Alonso, Alberto's widow.

The feature documentary, made courtesy of benefactor Louise Courtelis and with the support of the college administration, and production assistance from the SFC dance and fine arts programs, SFC Development Office and further assistance from College Relations and other SFC support programs, was three years in the making and has now been screened at film festivals in Florida and Canada. This is the film's second screening in Cuba. The film also has a distributor and is being marketed for sale internationally.

"This festival is quite an honor to be accepted into," said the film's director, Ricardo Acosta. "It is considered the Latin equivalent to the Cannes Film Festival in Europe. The fact that we have a screening on a Saturday night is also an indication that this film is being accepted with high regard."

Traveling in the SFC delegation were Chuck Clemons, vice president for development; Michael Curry, also from Development and executive producer of "Dance of My Heart"; Alora Haynes, chair of the Fine Arts department and executive producer of "Dance of My Heart", Ed Bonahue, associate vice president for Academic Affairs/International Studies, and Evelyn Womack, member of the SFC Board of Trustees.

"I cannot express fully how elated I am for the Alonso family," said Alora Haynes, chair, SFC Fine Arts department. "This story was meant to do exactly what it will do this weekend in Cuba, and that is to be sure that Alberto and Sonia's place in the history of dance is not forgotten. That was Alberto's biggest fear."

By attending this festival with this film, SFC took part in a special cultural initiation.  "There are people in Cuba who want this story to be told," said Acosta. "We see this as an important opportunity to open a dialogue across cultures."  Santa Fe was pleased to take part in an event that will build cross cultural understanding.

Website:
www.sfcc.edu/danceofmyheart

Event Photos

 

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