Garcia tribute to Cuba's soul

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By Maria Stainer

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."