The Mulata is the cultural symbol of Cuba. The perfect marriage of Africa and Europe, and the high watermark for beauty in Cuba. Maria La O, most infamous of Cubas "Mulata" heroines, has been on my mind lately . Maria Belen Chacon, Cecilia Valdes even Rita Montaner one of many who embodied the archetype, are part of the Cuban cultural landscape. Coincidentally during this time of reflection on the Socio-cultural and historical significance of the idyllic Cuban hottie, I was called upon to translate for a Cuban director at the Tribeca film festival in the Short film program "Means to an end".
So there I am watching this short film about a Cuban Mulata who loses her rhythm. Title montage rolls and the narrator in this film lyrically articulates the famous 18th century poem Oda a La Piña written by Manuel de Zequeira y Arango, which incidentally is tightly woven into the fabric of Cuba's cultural identity. Chaos ensues when the protagonist, a beautiful Mulata cabaret dancer playing the part of the pineapple in a cabaret revue, loses her sense of rhythm in the midst of an audition for a much anticipated European tour. There is even a cameo by the late Rita Montaner in the form of an old movie poster in the cabaret dancers dressing room.
Fano brilliantly strips away the Cuban stereotype to reveal the humanity of his characters; bringing us face to face with the reality. Few people like a pineapple void of it's tangy flavor, or a Mulata that can't shake her lovely tight round ass to an up tempo Mambo rhythm. In Oda a La Piña Cuban director Laimir Fano challenges Cuban stereotypes.
During the Q and A I find out that Laimir Fano of course is a brilliant but very low key guy with a great sense of humor that transcends the language barrier. Life imitates art.
Oda a La Piña is a shining example of Cuban music, dance, art, literature, and film. In eleven minutes you get a true a sense of what makes the pineapple a fruit for all the senses.
----------Onel Mulet Habana|Harlem™
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