Viva

Director: Paddy Breathnach
Cast: Héctor Medina, Jorge Perugorría, Luis Alberto García
Ireland/Cuba, 2015, 100 min., Spanish w/ Hebrew & English subtitles

Telluride Film Festival 2015
Sundance 2016
Irish entry for Best Foreign Language Film, 87th Academy Awards®

In association with the Embassy of Ireland in Israel.

The film tells the story of 18-year old Jesus, a wig designer at a Havana drag club whose dream is to appear on stage in drag. But just as his career begins to take off, his father, a former boxer-turned-violent alcoholic, is released from prison, having served 15 years for murder.
Jesus is forced to share his apartment with his homophobic father, who dreams of returning to the boxing ring.
Viva is a must-see for lovers of Cuban music, drag queens, and heartfelt family dramas. Depicting events taking place on the margins of vibrant Cuban society, its characters struggle for recognition and refuse to relinquish their true identities. Director Paddy Breathnach and scriptwriter Mark O'Halloran successfully integrate terrifying violent outbursts with gentle, compassionate moments into a surprising, unusual father-son relationship.
In association with the Embassy of Ireland in Israel.