Cuban filmmaker Rolando Almirante recently visited Berlin to seek German financing for a dance-driven film titled “Daniel’s Saga” which is scheduled for production in Havana next year.

Almirante, known internationally for “The Trial” — his documentary narrated by Danny Glover about the five convicted Cuban spies imprisoned in the United States — has chosen Israeli-Canadian dance instructor and author Chen Lizra to take part in the movie.

“I will star in the film, as will Danza Contemporanea de Cuba, one of the most famous contemporary dance groups,” Lizra told us by phone from Vancouver, her adopted home.

Last year, Lizra published “My Seductive Cuba,” a 328-page travel book on the island’s vibrant salsa and dance scene (see “Israeli dancer pours passion for Cuba into new travel guide,” CubaNews, October 2011, page 15).

“Daniel’s Saga” will be the latest in a string of movies featuring Cuba’s cultural heritage, from “Habana Blues” (present-day roqueros) to “Chico and Rita” (Afro-Cuban jazz musicians in 1940s New York).

“The film will be about a young Cuban artist overcoming the obstacles in his life to becoming famous,” Almirante said. “The film will show how Cuban artists — salsa and contemporary dancers — struggle nowadays.”

The filmmaker, who has extensive production experience with Cubavisión and various international TV projects, says that the dance film will be full of kinetic energy, whose use of at least 60 dancers will play a major role in its marketing.

“There will be people physically dancing, lots of physical activity,” he said. “It will not be a CGI Hollywood production.”

Aside from mentioning Lizra’s participation in the film, Almirante chose not to reveal which other actors are involved. “We will have a lot of big names, but we are still casting,” he noted. “They must act, sing and dance.”

Almirante, who’s also turning to Canada for funds, looks forward to choosing his film’s musical score, as well as completing casting and production.

“We would love to finish it in time for the Havana Film Festival screening in December 2013, but if not, then during the Berlin Bien-nial [in February 2014],” said Almirante.

“We will have a marketing strategy in the United States and elsewhere. We would love to get it into the Tribeca Film Festival, as well as Sundance.”

Meanwhile, Lizra is excited about working with Almirante.

“We are both talking to a big publisher in the U.S., for Rolo to potentially release a book to go with the movie, and for me a deal for three more books,” she told CubaNews.

“When I was in Cuba earlier this year, Rolo introduced me to Antonia Fernández, the granddaughter of [Cuban singer and actress] Rita Montaner. Antonia is supposed to train me in acting. I could not be more thrilled,” Lizra continued. “And working with Danza Contemporanea de Cuba is a big deal. They are one of the best dance groups in the world. This is truly an opportunity of a lifetime.”