" Spanish preserves our identity"

"The big question is how to fight poverty," says Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría when asked about the viability of sustainable development efforts. In a conversation with Tierramérica, he also stressed the need to defend the region's culture.

SAN JOSE - Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría rose to fame in playing the role of Diego, a homosexual, in the acclaimed film "Strawberry and Chocolate" (1993). The film and the script, by fellow Cuban Senel Paz, caused a furor on and off the Caribbean island, whose socialist regimen discriminated against sexual minorities for many years.

Since then, Perugorría, born in Havana in 1965, has acted in nearly 30 movies, in which the themes of Latin American identity, culture and inequalities predominate.

"Pichi", as his friends know him, is now preparing for the shooting of "Caribe", to begin in Costa Rica in March 2003.

During a recent visit to the new film's locations, the actor spoke with Tierramérica in an exclusive interview.

Q: What character have you always dreamed of playing?
A: There isn't any one in particular. An actor always hopes to encounter characters that are complex, difficult, those that make you sweat a little.

Q: Is it true that to be a good actor you have to be a good liar?
A: We are all good actors, aren't we?

Q: What do you consider your greatest commitment?
A: My principal commitment is with my profession. And in my work, to maintain strong ties with the people.

Q: Do you believe sustainable development is possible in Latin America?
A: Yes, it's possible. The problem is that the present indicates just the opposite.

Q: Why?
A: The big question is how to fight poverty. I think the key is that there must be action. In our region, many things need to change so that people have more opportunities.

Q: If you were an ecologist, how would you convince a hunter to stop killing animals that are in danger of extinction?
A: I would work hard on raising the awareness of such people. Although, in many cases, hunting is the only source of food.

Q: What did the film "Strawberry and Chocolate" mean for you in your career?
A: The main thing is that it brought me more work.

Q: How do you interpret the barrage of Hollywood films in Latin American theaters?
A: It's part of the same package of globalization. That is why we must protect the cultures of our countries. Films in Spanish preserve our identity.

Q: Would you take part in a Hollywood film?
A: That's a difficult question. Unfortunately, because of the U.S. blockade, a Cuban who lives on the island can't go and work there, and then come back. So for that and other reasons I am not interested. What I am interested in is working in independent U.S. films, because there are some good projects there.

Q: Which director would you most like to have worked with on a film: Stanley Kubrick, Federico Fellini or Luis Buñuel?
A: All three were giants of the film world. I would love to have worked with any of them!

Q: And Spain's Pedro Almodóvar?
A: Pedro is a great director. Ever since I acted in "Strawberry and Chocolate" we have been "flirting". And, well, I hope some day that it works out.

* Néfer Muñoz is an IPS correspondent.