During a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival for his latest film, "Diamond," Andy Garcia, the Cuban-American actor and director, became visibly emotional when discussing Cuba. He candidly told the media, "There's a hole in my heart."
Born in Havana 70 years ago, Garcia presented "Diamond" outside the competition at the 79th edition of the French festival. This marks his second feature as a director, following "The Lost City" released over two decades ago.
However, it was Garcia's outspoken stance on the island's political turmoil that truly resonated throughout the event.
Garcia's Bold Statements on Cuban Politics
In a subsequent interview with AFP, Garcia didn't hold back his opinions: "Nobody wants war, but the complete oppression and suffering of the people in that country are not options we should tolerate."
He further speculated on a hypothetical question to the Cuban populace: "If you asked the Cuban people, not the government, whether they would want the U.S., France, or any other country to intervene and rescue them, 90% would unanimously say: 'Please, come and invade our country and rid us of these people.'
Continued Advocacy for Cuban Freedom
Garcia's dedication to Cuban freedom is not a newfound cause. Back in July 2021, he called for an end to "62 years of tyranny and repression," supporting the 11J protests. That same month, he joined Gloria and Emilio Estefan in a White House session discussing U.S. policy towards Cuba. Earlier this year, he lent his voice to the song "Que se vayan" alongside Cuban singer San Miguel Pérez.
The Genesis of "Diamond"
As for "Diamond," the film has an unusual origin. Two decades ago, Garcia’s daughter, Daniella, struggled to complete a school English assignment inspired by Raymond Chandler's "The Long Goodbye," and her father stepped in to help.
"I improvised this character, the sequences, stories, and internal monologues in just an hour, and it stayed with me," Garcia recounted during the press conference.
In 2012, he penned a 60-page pilot script for a potential series, but it found no buyers. Ultimately, he crafted a full screenplay and secured independent funding: "No studio backed us, so we went independent."
The film was shot in a mere 25 days across 40 Los Angeles locations, with crucial support from Filipino producer Paul Soriano. Garcia publicly thanked him: "Without distribution and uncertain of the outcome, he trusted this crazy Cuban."
The cast features Vicky Krieps, Brendan Fraser, Danny Huston, Rosemarie DeWitt, Dustin Hoffman, Bill Murray, Rachel Ticotin, and Robert Patrick, with Daniella herself appearing briefly as a hotel employee.
Garcia was moved to tears when mentioning cinematographer Néstor Almendros — "He was my friend and mentor" — and as he reflected on the journey taken: "I just recalled something deeply personal, which is the path that brought us here."
Understanding Andy Garcia's Perspective on Cuba
What prompted Andy Garcia's emotional reaction at Cannes?
Garcia became emotional discussing the political situation in Cuba, expressing deep concern for the oppression and hardships faced by its people.
What is Andy Garcia's stance on foreign intervention in Cuba?
Garcia suggested that if asked, the majority of Cubans would support foreign intervention to end the current regime, highlighting the desperation for change.
How did "Diamond" come to be?
The film originated from an impromptu story Garcia created for his daughter's school assignment, which later evolved into a full screenplay funded independently.