Tomás Gutiérrez Alea was a prominent Cuban filmmaker born on December 11, 1928, in Havana, Cuba. He is best known for his contributions to the Cuban cinema, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. His films often explored themes of identity, culture, and the complexities of life in post-revolutionary Cuba. Alea's most acclaimed work includes the film Memories of Underdevelopment (1968), which is considered a classic of Latin American cinema. He was also a key figure in the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC), helping to shape the country's film industry after the Cuban Revolution.