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

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 H...  
   • MOP from Havana, Cuba '98 by John-Rog...  
   • "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".
LL
Jsu Garcia