Cuba’s Alfredo Guevara Hall to Screen Documentary “Pelé”
CULTURAL SCENE IN OLD HAVANA
Key Facts
—Venue. The screening takes place at Sala Alfredo Guevara in the Edificio Santo Domingo, Old Havana.
—Date and Time. Saturday, July 25, at 2:00 p.m. local time.
—Admission. Entry costs 100 Cuban pesos (CUP).
—The Film. Directed by Ben Nicholas and David Tryhorn, the documentary reviews Pelé’s life and global impact.
—Context. The event offers a low-cost cultural option for residents and visitors in the historic centre.
Havana’s Alfredo Guevara Hall will screen the documentary “Pelé” on Saturday, July 25, bringing the story of Brazil’s football icon to a Cuban audience in the heart of Old Havana.
A Cultural Offering in the Historic Centre
The screening is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Sala Alfredo Guevara, a venue named after the influential Cuban intellectual and film promoter. It sits inside the Edificio Santo Domingo on Calle San Ignacio, between Obispo and O’Reilly streets.
Admission is set at 100 Cuban pesos (CUP), making it an accessible event for locals. For expats and tourists navigating Cuba’s dual-currency realities, the price represents a modest outlay for an afternoon of international documentary cinema.
The Documentary “Pelé” and Its Directors
The film is directed by Ben Nicholas and David Tryhorn, who trace the trajectory of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known globally as Pelé. It covers his rise from poverty to becoming a three-time World Cup champion and a transcendent figure in sport.
The documentary reviews key moments of his career and his impact off the pitch. For a Cuban audience, where football has deep roots but Brazilian stars hold a particular mystique, the film offers a rare big-screen portrait of a Latin American legend.
What the Screening Means for Havana’s Cultural Landscape
State-supported cultural venues like the Alfredo Guevara Hall remain vital in a city where private entertainment options are limited. Screenings of international documentaries provide a window to global stories without the price tag of private cinemas or streaming platforms, which remain patchy under U.S. sanctions and local infrastructure constraints.
For investors and market watchers, these small-scale events signal continuity in Cuba’s public cultural programming. They also highlight the enduring soft-power appeal of Brazilian icons across Latin America, even in markets with distinct political and economic alignments.
The Venue: Sala Alfredo Guevara
The hall bears the name of Alfredo Guevara, a founder of the New Latin American Cinema movement and a close associate of Fidel Castro. His legacy is tied to the promotion of film as a tool for cultural dialogue across the region.
Located in a restored colonial building, the venue itself is part of the experience. Visitors walk through the cobbled streets of La Habana Vieja, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before stepping into a space dedicated to cinema history.
The Read-Through for Expats and Visitors
For the small but steady expat community in Havana, events like this are a practical way to engage with local culture. The 100 CUP admission is negligible for those earning in foreign currency, and the afternoon timing fits a leisurely Saturday schedule.
The screening also underscores a broader point: cultural programming in Cuba continues to function despite economic pressures. For businesses and diplomatic missions monitoring the operating environment, these signals matter as much as macroeconomic data.
Pelé’s Enduring Pull Across Latin America
Pelé remains a unifying figure in a region often divided by politics. His story resonates from São Paulo to Havana, transcending ideological lines in a way few public figures manage.
The documentary’s screening in Cuba is a reminder that cultural exchange persists even when diplomatic channels are strained. It is a small but telling example of how Latin American nations continue to share their stories with one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the Alfredo Guevara Hall in Havana?
The hall is inside the Edificio Santo Domingo on Calle San Ignacio, between Obispo and O’Reilly streets in La Habana Vieja. It is a short walk from the Plaza de la Catedral and easily reached on foot from most points in the historic centre.
How much does it cost to attend the screening of the documentary “Pelé”?
Admission is 100 Cuban pesos (CUP). For context, this is roughly the price of a simple meal at a state-run cafeteria, making it an affordable cultural outing for most residents and a negligible expense for international visitors.
Is the documentary “Pelé” a new release?
The film by Ben Nicholas and David Tryhorn was released internationally in 2021 and has been distributed on streaming platforms. The Havana screening is a local theatrical showing rather than a premiere, part of the venue’s regular programming of international documentaries.
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