"VOCES DE CUBA" PROGRAMA 21 - LUIS LEONEL LEÓN

“Voices of Cuba” Program 21 - Luis Leonel León Luis Leonel León: From Buenavista to Exile, a Camera Against the Dictatorship In this edition of Voices of Cuba, we speak with director, journalist, and writer Luis Leonel León, a clear and courageous voice of the Cuban exile who has used film, television, and journalism to denounce the lies of Castroism and tell the stories of those without a voice. From his beginnings in the Buenavista neighborhood of Havana to his days as a filmmaker in Miami, his career has been a journey filled with risks, disruptions, and a passion for the truth. In an intimate conversation, León shares key moments in his life, such as his training at the Instituto Superior de Arte (Higher Institute of Art), his work in the official media in Cuba, his disillusionment with the regime, his time in Venezuela as part of the ICAIC's "cultural mission," and his subsequent desertion. Through his documentaries, journalistic columns, and audiovisual works, Luis Leonel has constructed an honest, provocative, and necessary narrative about Cuba and its people. Topics covered in the interview: Childhood in Havana and her first contact with cinema thanks to her grandfather Training in the audiovisual world at ISA and working in Cuban radio and television Censorship, surveillance, and repression within state media Making documentaries such as "Amaneceres" and "La gracia de volver," about the poet Dulce María Loynaz Participation in ICAIC cultural missions in Venezuela and her break with the propaganda apparatus Defection, escape through Colombia, and settlement in Miami Work on local television channels and her foray into independent journalism Criticism of the Cuban regime's "internal blockade": manipulation, disinformation, and fear as tools of control Opinions on the so-called audiovisual "package" and its potential to unlock consciences Defense of independent journalism in Cuba as an act of courage beyond technique The process of compiling her articles and interviews into a book on Cuban freedom Her firm stance against the The regime's "cosmetic reforms": "There are no changes, there is manipulation." Reflections on the identity of the exile, the debt to Cuba, and the transformative power of art and words. Luis Leonel León doesn't consider himself a civic activist, but his work is pure activism. This interview is a testament to artistic integrity, intellectual resilience, and unconditional love for a homeland that still fights for its voice. If you enjoyed the interview, subscribe to our channel! #VoicesofCuba #Cuba #Dissidence