The remains of the beloved Cuban actress Broselianda Hernández have finally been laid to rest in her native Cuba, as confirmed on social media. The news was shared by Jorge Enrique Fernández Falcón, the actress's brother-in-law, who expressed his gratitude towards his brother and Hernández's widower, José Alberto Fernández Falcón. "Thank you, dear brother, for your strength, love, and greatness towards your beloved Brosse... She has returned in peace to the land where she was born, grew up, and excelled in her craft: acting," wrote Fernández Falcón.
Broselianda's body was discovered on November 18, 2020, at a beach in North Miami Beach at the age of 56. The autopsy report from the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Department indicated drowning as the cause of death, suggesting suicide as the probable cause.
Following her passing, a beautiful altar was erected at the site where she was found. It featured a photo of her and heaps of red roses buried in the sand, with many more added by those who came to pay tribute.
Broselianda's Impact on Cuban Theater and Film
Emerging as a powerful force in Cuban theater in the late 1980s, Broselianda was renowned for her striking expressiveness and her ability to fully embody her characters. Born in August 1964 in Havana to actor Rolen Hernández and critic, historian, and professor Rosa Ileana Boudet, she graduated with honors from the Instituto Superior de Arte in 1987. Her education was enriched by the teachings of notable figures like Vicente Revuelta, Isabel Moreno, and Miriam Lezcano.
She debuted with the theater group Buscón under the direction of José Antonio Rodríguez, and later joined Carlos Díaz's El Público, where she remained until the late '90s. In her later years, she acted as a guest with Flora Lauten's theater group Buendía.
Memorable Roles Across Screen and Stage
At just 26, Broselianda captivated audiences across Cuba with her role in "Cuando el agua regresa a la tierra" in 1994. Her versatility was further showcased in the TV series "Doble Juego," directed by Rudy Mora in 2002, where she played an alcoholic mother in one of the show's most intense scenes.
On the big screen, she felt at home, earning the Providence Film Festival award for her performance in Barrio Cuba by Humberto Solás. Her filmography includes "Cosas que dejé en La Habana," "Las profecías de Amanda," "Una rosa de Francia," "Mata, que Dios perdona," and "La Anunciación." In "Nada," directed by Juan Carlos Cremata, her role was small but impactful, though the director noted it didn't fully showcase her immense talent.
Among her extensive repertoire, her portrayal of Leonor Pérez, José Martí's mother, in "El ojo del canario" by the esteemed director Fernando Pérez, stands out. This role left a lasting impression on audiences. "I don't believe Leonor was a submissive woman, nor was she the typical woman of her time. I think she had several confrontations with Mariano in her life," she remarked upon the film's release.