Jorge Perugorría, known for “Strawberry and Chocolate,” and Thiago Lacerda will lead the cast of “Hotel Nacional,” a film set in Cuba. The movie follows a Brazilian man seeking connection to his late wife’s roots and a Spanish doctor escaping her routine, whose paths cross at Havana’s Hotel Nacional. Veteran Cuban bartender Rubén, played by Perugorría, serves as an unlikely confidant.
Lacerda will portray a grieving man traveling to Havana to reconnect with the heritage of his recently deceased Cuban wife. He encounters Pilar, a Spanish doctor attending a conference and seeking respite from her life in Madrid. Their connection forms at the bar of the Hotel Nacional, where they meet Rubén, a bartender who has worked there for over 30 years.
According to director Diego Corsini, Rubén is a 60-year-old Cuban whose life revolves around his work since his wife’s passing and his children moving abroad. Corsini explained, “At the bar, he has his ‘occasional friends’—the tourists staying at the hotel, with whom he often manages to have deep conversations, frequently becoming a confidant.” The arrival of Bruno and Pilar will significantly impact Rubén, especially due to a hidden element within Bruno’s story that will be revealed later in the film.
The classic cocktail ‘Between the Sheets’ will be central to the developing relationship between Rubén and the two travelers. Corsini described Rubén as “a very sociable, warm, and calm man, with extensive knowledge of classic cocktails and traditional drinks, many of which have been forgotten in the face of newer trends.”
Corsini acknowledged the challenges of filming in Havana due to the current economic crisis but expressed optimism. He stated they are exploring alternative energy sources, including solar power and electric vehicles, to ensure the shoot can proceed as planned. He anticipates beginning filming early next year.
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