"The Lost City" Directed by Andy Garcia Co-starring Jsu Garcia

Описание: Jsu Garcia was born in New York City to Cuban immigrant parents. ... Garcia played revolutionary Che Guevara in Andy García's Cuban story, The Lost City.

Press Info - Jsu Garcia (Codirector with John-Roger) Mystical Traveler

I was born in NYC. Both my parents were born in Habana, Cuba. My mother was pregnant with my older brother from a different father, and after being thrown in jail and released by Castro, she needed to Flee Cuba where she met my soon to be father, along with his Anti-Castro-Rebel friend in Key West called Bomillo. My soon to be father and my pregnant mother arrived in NYC like every other Cuban immigrant. I grew up in an Anti-Castro environment. We were taught to hate Che. And while I was desperate to forget where I came from, I set my sites on being American.

Later growing up in NYC, Newark, and New Jersey with my step-father also raised me in an Anti-Castro environment where I heard many rhetorical speeches about killing him. My late-Stepfather, after placing a bomb in an event where there were Cuban Communist Dancers performing in the USA, was sent to a penitentiary. Ironically that was the foundation that would propel me into show business to escape my past.

As an actor I have starred in 2 films about Che. The first was in an Andy Garcia film called "Lost City" - where I played the role of Che. This was a very profound enlightening experience especially while filming in the Dominican Republic where I was approached by half a dozen family members who were victimized by "Che". Some of those people are met had their fathers killed by "Che". And while I an actor in a big budget hollywood film, it also hit me like a ton of brinks on how serious this was.

Putting politics aside people were killed and their lives were forever altered. I decided I would never promote "Che" the Character after being in his skin. I saw enough as an actor and human. I then pledged that I would never wear another "Che" T-Shirt ever again.

The other film I have worked on about Che, was working with Steven Soderberg on his film titled "Che". This time I learnt so much about the Cuban revolution - not taking sides, but as a wanna be historian - it was both enlightening and educational.

For 27 years I've been working on Personal and Spiritual Growth with Teacher Dr. John-Roger. In 1998 John-Roger and I wrote and Directed a Short film called "My little Havana" which was accepted in Havana, Cuba. John-Roger supported me and we headed to Cuba by invitation from the Havana Cuban Film Festival. We stayed at the Famous Hotel National. Wow. It was a big deal for me because I would relive my mothers experiences in Cuba by walking through the same streets.

Havana stood still in 1959 and that's what it still looked like in 1998. So I called my mother from Cuba and while on the phone she talked me through it. What places, clubs she went to, etc.

As John-Roger had been to Cuba in the 1970's during a peace trip. This time 1998 we received a great reception to our screening in Havana trying to open relations through the arts. I also got to visit my aunt for the first time (my father's sister). When I walked in her home I video taped it - and it's on my youtube site - examples following.

   • Looking for Cuba with John-Roger in Havana...  
   • MOP from Havana, Cuba '98 by John-Roger, D...  
   • "Looking For Cuba" part 3  
   • "Looking For Cuba" part 2  
   • "Looking For Cuba" part 1  

Mystical Traveler is the Life and Times of Dr. John-Roger. Working with John-Roger was an amazing experience. He is a true Wayshower and Spiritual teacher and a Traveler. There is some 8mm of John-Roger in Cuba in the 1970's spreading peace by example. Our hopes in screening this film in NYC is to share and make available the life and teachings of a great man who lived to serve the lord. John-Roger's mission statement is: "I communicate living Love".
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Jsu Garcia