Inside the Tunas Theater, one breathes dust, movement, and naked structures, while the noise of constant work reaches the outside, as a continuation of what should be the last stage in the refurbishment of the old building.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- With prospects of completing the long execution schedule by the end of the year, the facility joins other “dark halls” in the province that, after reaching a critical moment of deterioration, are undergoing a deep repair and the replacement of part of the infrastructure and technical equipment that with proper management can return the magic of the Seventh Art, along with other cultural and even gastronomic offers.

Yordani Martínez Alarcón, head of Assurance and investor in the Provincial Cinema Center, told 26 that "65 million pesos have been approved for the 'Tunas'. We still need the lunette to finish the small board; the false ceiling with painting and illumination is finished. Now we are building the acoustic walls with blocks and we are working on a 3D room on the top floor.

"We will have a coffee bar and a bar that will provide services on a lease basis, under a non-state management system. There will be less than a thousand seats, after the total replacement of the furniture, due to the larger size that will be adopted for the comfort of the public."

The executive acknowledged that the work has delays and said that the lack of fuel is among the most persistent reasons. "We have worked with three MSMEs in the different stages and spaces, in pursuit of quality and the intervention of specialists with experience in the elaboration and assembly of each element."

This cultural precinct is perhaps the most evident case of transformation in the territory, but not the only one. During the dialogue, it was reported that the emblematic Luanda cinema is due to open as a cultural center in November; only a few details remain to be worked out.

According to Luis Alberto Berrey, a specialist of the institution, it will be used for multi-purpose or multi-purpose activities; there will be a variety of artistic activities for children and adults, with payment at the door. The ambiance will be brought to life through the exhibition of trailers and musical numbers of cinematographic pieces. They also intend to survey the population to determine their preferences, and what they expect to find at the site, and consolidate the programming.

The alternative will allow counting on profits for other interventions in the Balcón de Oriente, to maintain quality offers and to sustain to a certain extent the operation of events and workshops, taking into account that the Provincial Film Center is a budgeted unit with special treatment.

Other places will take more time to be ready, among them, the Manatí movie theater, where much remains to be done. This building, owned by the Manatí Sugar Company, was inaugurated in 1944 and, since its foundation, it has occupied a notable place in the Manatí culture. The Real Estate Registry lists it as part of its patrimonial values as an exponent of pro-rationalism and preserves the lunettes and equipment that were used in its early years.

After the demolition of the wall corresponding to the dressing rooms in the Manatí movie theater, the brigade of the Works Execution Company belonging to the Ministry of Culture in Camagüey, led by Miguel Segundo Diaz Ble, continues the construction activities of the cultural institution.

Unfortunately, one of its walls collapsed and experts discovered that the columns were made of wood, so they must be completely rebuilt.

Another building that is advancing, although not as fast as required, is the 30 de Diciembre movie theater, in Jobabo. Radio Cabaniguán reported that the premises, also of enormous patrimonial value, is being shored up, and this is the first step to undertaking the rest of the projected construction actions.

Jobabo's 30 de Diciembre movie theater after the collapse of almost half of its ceiling

Besides, the Moncada movie theater, in "Jesús Menéndez," and the one in Delicias (Puerto Padre) need painting, while the "Iremú", also in Villa Azul, needs concrete work on the false ceiling. In addition, the Titón Theater in this city is already planning its reopening after the rehabilitation of the water and sewage system.

Beyond the constructive state, other issues should occupy the cinema directors, not only in Las Tunas but also in the country. In times of social networks and technology everywhere, sustaining interest in celluloid, in the old style, with the spectators sitting in the seats, astonished, requires a lot of inventiveness to motivate.

In this sense, it is a reality that there are no projectors that invite you to return to the big screen because no matter how good a film is on the billboard, the fact that a TV set welcomes you in the projection space does not encourage you to move from the comfort of your home. However, of course, to set up this "scenography" it is essential to have capital.

Even so, more modest options are being considered, such as the early reactivation of the "Titón", with Friday afternoon showings for young people and adults, and Saturday and Sunday matinees dedicated to children. Children's workshops are being consolidated in all municipalities, as are the film clubs that contribute to the Cinemazul Film Appreciation Festival and extensions to schools, health centers, and others, where proposals are adapted to the ages and socio-cultural characteristics of each group.

Dreams that hopefully will come true and others will follow, as many as possible to keep alive the taste for the "magic lantern". Something to think about carefully and with a lot of dedication so that not only the beauty of the buildings is reborn, but also the soul of the people, with the delight that a cinematographic projection awakens.