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Garcia tribute to Cuba's
soul 6vb23
By Maria Stainer. The
Washington Times, March 16, 2007.
When Andy Garcia produced, directed and
starred in "The Lost City," his
16-year project about Havana in the 1950s,
the critics called it a love letter to Cuba.
But that description misses an important
element in the story, he says.
"I view it as a tragic poem. The
movie celebrates the culture and music and
way of life that no longer exists,"
said Mr. Garcia, by telephone from Los Angeles
on Monday upon the release of the movie's
soundtrack. "I had an obligation to
tell that story."
Born in 1956, Mr. Garcia fled Cuba in
1961. Last summer, dictator Fidel Castro
fell ill with a still-unspecified gastrointestinal
illness. Now his brother Raul is in charge,
and there have been multiple visits to Cuba
by the leftist Venezuelan president-for-life,
Hugo Chavez.
Yet, Mr. Garcia remains optimistic that
the island will move toward democracy when
Mr. Castro dies.
"I believe so. The situation there
is so desperate. There will be a natural
transition," he says. "He rules
by personality," and Raul Castro clearly
lacks that charisma, he explains.
Mr. Garcia pauses for a few moments, then
says almost inaudibly, "I have to hope."
Cuban history is not really taught in
American schools, so most people don't realize
that the revolution began as a push to return
to the 1940s constitution, he says.
"It's tarnished by the betrayal of
democracy," Mr. Garcia declares, explaining
that once Fidel Castro ensconced himself
as leader, he deceived many and turned his
back on democracy. The only balm for these
historical wounds is the music.
The music, the soul of Cuba, along with
the island's culture and traditions, still
live on in America, he says. It was this
love of music that compelled him to make
"The Lost City."
Fico Fellove, Mr. Garcia's character,
owns the nightclub El Tropico, which features
amazing Cuban music and dancing. With all
due respect to Mr. Garcia, the music is
the star of the film.
The soundtrack, totaling 45 songs on two
CDs, is an outstanding collection. Latin
American music lovers will recognize many
songs by old favorites, such as Ernesto
Lecuona, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros
(who actually plays the trumpet in the opening
and closing of the film), Israel "Cachao"
Lopez (the real king of the mambo), Beny
More, Rolando Laserie, Lazaro Galarraga,
Bola de Nieve, Maria Teresa Vera, Duke Ellington
("Limbo Jazz") and others. Mr.
Garcia also composed music for the film.
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