The Miami Film Festival will welcome Perseverancia as one of the most intimate and meaningful documentary offerings for the Cuban community in South Florida, portraying the life of painter Tomás Sánchez. The screening carries special significance not only because Sánchez is one of the most important figures in contemporary Latin American art, but also a cultural reference point for the Latino community.
Directed by Juan Carlos Martín, the documentary offers an in-depth look at the artist’s life and work, from his childhood in Cienfuegos, Cuba—marked by the sugar mill that gives the film its title—to his international recognition. The film traces key milestones such as his training at the National School of Art, his participation in the landmark Volumen Uno exhibition, and his receipt of the Joan Miró Prize in 1980, all of which helped define an artistic generation amid the island’s political uncertainty.
But Perseverancia goes beyond biography. Through the artist’s own voice, the film explores his spiritual worldview, influenced by yoga, and his deep connection to nature. His landscapes—at times serene and almost mystical, at others marked by human impact—emerge as reflections on beauty, freedom, and ecological urgency.
Tomás Sánchez: A life of “perseverancia” tied to Miami
For Miami audiences, the screening holds particular meaning. After leaving Cuba, Sánchez lived in several cities, including the “Magic City,” where he consolidated part of his career and built ties with the artistic community and the Cuban diaspora. His presence in the city has helped establish him as a close cultural figure whose work resonates with themes of exile and identity.
The festival presentation not only celebrates his artistic legacy but also reinforces Miami’s role as a meeting point for Latin American creators, especially Cuban voices who have found in the city a space for expression.
The Miami Film Festival is expected to host Tomás Sánchez himself, along with director Juan Carlos Martín and producer Gustavo Ángel Olaya.
