‘She Was Ahead of Her Time’: Keshet’s ‘Cuba Libre’ Chronicles One Woman’s Revolution

variety.com:

Marta Balaga Beauty queen, rebellious daughter of the head of Portugal’s secret service, housewife fascinated by Che Guevara, fighter – “Annie” Silva Pais was many, many things.

Now, she is also the subject of Portuguese period drama “Cuba Libre.”   “I have been thinking about this story for 20 years,” admits creator Henrique Oliveira ahead of its bow at Berlinale’s Series Market Selects.  “That’s when I first read an article about her in [a local newspaper] Expresso.

I fell in love right away. This woman was ahead of her time.” While Oliveira, who also directs, had to wait decades to realize his dream, it actually worked out for the best, he claims.  “In the past few years, so many things have changed, especially when it comes to streaming.

The TV market is completely different now. I had all this time to mature, to [figure out how to] pay tribute to this woman in the best possible way,” he says. “It’s the project of my life.