Havana Born Andy Garcia Takes You Behind The Scenes of The Lost City

Hollywood's Master Storytellers™ welcomes producer-director-actor Andy Garcia for a behind the scenes discussion of his film, ‘The Lost City’ at the Mann Chinese Theatres in Hollywood on Tuesday, September 26 at 7:30 PM.

Sixteen years from the day we got the first draft

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) September 18, 2006 -- The renowned Hollywood's Master Storytellers series will showcase Andy Garcia's directorial debut, 'The Lost City', at the Mann Chinese Theatres in Hollywood on Tuesday, September 26 at 7:30 PM. The evening will feature a screening of the film and a Q&A session with the acclaimed actor-director as well as insight into the film's sixteen year development odyssey.

"It was my life's work, and come hell or high water, I wanted to make it," Andy Garcia said of his dream project, "The Lost City," set in Havana in the waning days of the Batista regime and the initial stages of a Castro led Cuba. Although the picture was shot in thirty-five days in the Dominican Republic, it took much longer than that to prepare. "Sixteen years from the day we got the first draft," Garcia explains. "But it started before then. I'm only counting from the day I got the first draft, and from then on it was really an uphill battle to get it made."

Andy Garcia was born in Cuba, but his family fled to Miami Beach, Fla. when he was five. He initially pursued acting at Florida International University, but soon headed to Hollywood where he landed his first acting role as a gang member on the popular TV series, "Hill Street Blues". Since then Garcia has starred in films including: "The Untouchables", "When a Man Loves a Woman", and "Ocean's Eleven". Garcia is best known worldwide for his performance in "The Godfather, Part III," which earned him Oscar and Golden Globe Award nominations. That role, along with his performance in "Internal Affairs" the same year, led to his being named 1990 Star of the year by NATO (National Association of Theatre Owners). Most recently Garcia played the ruthless casino owner, Terry Benedict in "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve" which he will reprise in the now filming "Ocean's Thirteen."

Set during the final turbulent days of Havana's golden 1950s, "The Lost City" uses the musical tapestry of Cuban culture as a backdrop, telling the story of one man's struggle to hold onto the soul of his people. Conceived in the genre of "Casablanca," "Cabaret" and "The Godfather," "The Lost City" chronicles a nightclub owner caught in the crossfire of revolution -- between the tide of revolt and the destiny of his family, between the woman he loves and the homeland he is forced to leave behind.

The film also features Steven Bauer, Dustin Hoffman, Bill Murry, and model-actress Ines Sastre.

Hollywood's Master Storytellers co-Executive Producer, Nadine Hamdan says, "Hollywood's Master Storytellers is known for honoring high profile filmmakers.I think it's wonderful that we have the opportunity to give the fans the ability to connect with celebrities on another level,"

"The Lost City is Havana, Cuba where Andy Garcia was born," adds John Culton, co-Executive Producer of Hollywood's Master Storytellers. It's no coincidence that it took someone from these roots to depict pre-Castro Cuba in a film with historical accuracy. Our audience will enjoy a very good film plus learn something about Cuba's history. This is a very pertinent show and not to be missed".

Stand-up Comedian and TV host Mike Siegel will be Hollywood's Master Storytellers special guest host for "The Lost City" event. He can be seen nationally every week hosting TBS network's "TBS Movie EXTRA ", HGTV's "If Walls Could Talk", and Fine Living network's "What You Get For the Money" (which also airs on HGTV). "I am really looking forward to hosting and spending the evening with Andy and our audience, it's going to be a great night," says Mike Siegel.

In addition to playing the lead and directing the film, Garcia was one of the Producers and scored the original music. To get the film made,the talented filmmaker worked through his CineSon Productions along with Frank Mancuso Jr. and in association with Crescent Drive Pictures, which also financed the production. Financier Tom Gores, chairman of global investment firm Platinum Equity, and Johnny O. Lopez served as executive producers.

Ebert & Roeper gave the film "Two Thumbs Up."

Michael Willington of the Chicago Tribune wrote,
"Throbbing with music, seething with romance, a film that breaks your heart and ravishes you."

"Sumptuous, Intoxicating...A Caribbean Doctor Zhivago." Said Steven Holden of the New York Times.

Hollywood's Master Storytellers™ is open to the public and provides audiences with the opportunity to meet some of Hollywood's best Storytellers as they tell the always-fascinating "Great Stories Behind the Great Stories™" Since its launch in January 2003, Hollywood's Master Storytellers™ has been host to such luminaries as Academy Award® winning writer/director James Cameron, actor/producer Drew Barrymore, three-time Academy Award® winning writer/director Oliver Stone, director Richard Donner, and actor/producer/director George Clooney. Hollywood's Master Storytellers™ broadcasts select programs to motion picture theatres around the country via the nation's leading exhibitors. More information is available at www.HollywoodsMasterStorytellers.com, hosted by FilmStew.com. Tickets for "The Lost City" and the Q & A with Actor-Director Andy Garcia can be purchased at MovieTickets.com

Mann Theatres owns and operates 20 theatres with 122 screens in Southern California, with the circuit's primary area of operation being the greater Los Angeles area, including the world-famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and the Mann Chinese 6, with its luxurious VIP Lounge, adjacent to Grauman's in Hollywood. Known for their state-of-the-art presentation, these theatres are among the most prestigious in the industry and are host to frequent star-studded world premieres and other lavish industry events.

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