Havana. Today the Cuban cinema family says goodbye to the renowned director of photography Julio Simoneau Martínez, who died the day before at the age of 91, victim of a heart attack.
The Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (Icaic) conveyed its condolences to his daughter Vilma, and all her family and friends, in a note published on its Facebook page.
“We say goodbye to a legendary man, camera at the ready for his intense and multiple life,” the text highlighted.
Born in 1935, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Art History at the University of Havana and also studied radio and television, media for which he worked as a producer, director and editor in programs.
Since 1951 he filmed short commercials and sports shows for an advertising agency, he was also a cameraman and editor of the news program Cine Revista until 1959.
In 1960 he joined Icaic as a cameraman for its Noticiero Laatinoamericano. In 1961 he began working in the Documentary Department and, in that same year, he was promoted to Director of Photography.
Among the documentaries in which he worked are: “And I became a teacher”, “Muerte al invader”, “Escambray”, “Adelante”, all made in 1961.
From that moment on he made the audiovisuals Ciclón, El ring, Los Meme, Caminos del saber, Los Bucaneros, David (LM), Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna, Celeste Mendoza, Al sur de Mandadero, Diques de Vietnam, among others.
He also worked as an operator and director of photography interchangeably in the films Vampires in Havana, In days like these, The robbery, Assault on the central train, The first load with the machete, Pages from the diary of José Martí, “Ojos de perro”, “Baraguá” and “The last salary”.
