U.S. movies flood Havana film festival

By WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press Writer 12 minutes ago

HAVANA - Washington‘s trade embargo bars almost all Americans from coming to Cuba — but it can‘t keep U.S. films out.

Most are independent flicks focusing on illegal immigration and the problems Latinos face in America, but movies by Hollywood heavyweights Brian De Palma and David Lynch are also being screened.

Finished prints of the U.S. films were sent to Cuba through Mexico or Canada, or through European distribution companies. But the U.S. government makes it quite difficult for American directors to present their work on the island.

"It seems my State Department could not offer me a visa," De Palma said.

Calls and e-mails to Lynch‘s representatives asking if he had sought permission from U.S. authorities to travel to Cuba weren‘t immediately returned.

"The numbers of U.S. (performers) are significantly down," Martinez said.

"Under current policy, individuals require a specific license to engage in travel-related transactions involving Cuba and additional transactions that are directly incident to participation in public performances and exhibitions," he said. "This policy extends to the Havana film festival."

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