A group of reporters and organizers of the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival (DRGFF) at the Caleton Beach Club in Cap Cana were joined for lunch as they as they awaited a press conference with film legend Claudia Cardinale, Victoria Abril walked into the restaurant with several members of her entourage, direct from a work trip in Japan to the 4th edition of the DR Global Film Festival.

 

DRGFF Director Omar de la Cruz sprung to his feet to introduce the Spanish-born actress/singer who joined the group at the table. De la Cruz told Abril that even President Leonel Fernandez is “especially delighted that you are here for this year´s Film Festival. We are all honored.”

Within moments, Ms. Abril told de la Cruz that while she was charmed by the beauty of Cap Cana, where she arrived two days ago, she intended to visit Haiti and be part of the inauguration of the DRGFF in Port au Prince.  As in years past, the DRGFF will be showing films in six different locations throughout the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo, Puerto Plata, Santiago, Nagua, Higuey, Cap Cana) although this year Festival organizers have added Haiti´s capital, Port au Prince, to the list of venues. This year the DRGFF is focusing on Haiti as a way of showing support for their neighbors after last January´s earthquake and the subsequent problems that continue to occur, including the recent cholera outbreak.

“It is very important to show solidarity for Haiti… I want to go there and sing and let the Haitian people know that the world has not forgotten them,” said Abril.

Born in Malaga and currently living in Paris, Abril´s successful 35-year film career began in Spain with such directors as Pedro Almodovar and actors such as Antonio Banderas and Javier Bardem, both of whom, incidentally, are her favorite leading men, she revealed later at the press conference. 

Asked whether she was concerned about the recent cholera outbreak in neighboring Haiti that has claimed nearly a thousand lives, Abril said, “that´s yet another reason to go.  Haitians need to feel loved, not rejected, now more than ever.”

Victoria Abril added that her main goal as honored guest and this year´s DR Global Film Festival is to “encourage young people here in the Dominican Republic to make films.”

 

See more photos of this event on Press Conference photo gallery>