Viva is a 2015 drama film directed by Paddy Breathnach and written by Mark O'Halloran. Set in Havana, it follows Jesus (Héctor Medina), a young drag queen performer who, after reuniting with his estranged father, must come to terms with his sexuality.
The film had its world premiere at the 42nd Telluride Film Festival, on 4 September 2015, and was theatrically released in Ireland on 19 August 2016. It received positive reviews.
It was selected as the Irish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards. It made the December shortlist of nine films, but was not nominated.
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Plot
Aspiring dancer, Jesus, does makeup for a production of drag performers in Havana but dreams of performing. Taking his opportunity to be onstage, a stranger from the crowd, who happens to be his estranged former boxer father, Angel, punches him in the face. The father and son clash over their opposite personal values, while they struggle to understand each other and become united as a whole family.
Cast
Héctor Medina as Jesus
Jorge Perugorría as Angel
Luis Alberto García as Mama
Jorge Martinez as Celeste
Luis Manuel Alvarez as Cindy
Maikel “Renata” Machin Blanco as Pamela
Laura Alemán as Cecilia
Paula Ali as Nita
Luis Angel Batista as Don
Luis Daniel Ventura as Kali
Maikol Villa Puey as William
Oscar Ibarra as Javier
Libia Batista as Lazara
Tomas Cao as Nestor
Jorge Acosta as Lydia
Mark O'Halloran as Ray
Production
An Irish-Cuban co-production, it marks Breathnach's first Spanish language feature film. The film reflects the slow process of acceptance towards LGBTQ rights in Cuba, which since 2008 officially recognized gender identity rights, and a few years after the film's release (2019), officially passed constitutional protections for sexual orientation and gender identity.
Principal photography took place on location in Havana, in just 22 days with a small budget. The production received legal authorization from the Cuban government.
Release
Magnolia Pictures acquired distribution rights for the U.S., and received a limited release in early 2016.