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Andy García - On Family and Fame
By : Celeste Rodas de Juárez
It’s 10 a.m. and Andy Garcia is enjoying one of the best moments of his day in his home in San Fernando Valley, California. As he sits by the garden and lays his 9-month-old son, Andrés Antonio, on his lap, he begins the telephone interview for Latitudes. “This is the most beautiful time of day,” he confesses. “I’m very happy because I’m enjoying my son. My children fill me with new energy that’s very positive.”
Known for his roles in Godfather III and The Untouchables, the actor, once again took on the role that gives him the most satisfaction a few months ago: fatherhood. He assures us that, just as he did with his three daughters (Dominik, 17; Daniella, 13; and Alessandra, 9), he will be actively involved in every aspect of caring for his new baby because he is, above all, “a family man.”
He isn’t lying. Although his work in television, movies, music and for good causes keeps him busy, his present and past are intrinsically linked to family values. In fact, the first thing that comes to his mind when asked about his childhood is “My parents, my family,” he says.
“When I think of those days, I see myself with them enjoying the countryside in the farm we had in Bejucal, in the province of Havana. My father was a lawyer, and he had the farm because he loved nature and life in the country. He really cherished all those things. I was very young, but I always went with him because I loved playing in the fields.”
His childhood memories of the farm were etched into his subconscious and have influenced his home selections as an adult. His home in California is strategically located to enjoy a view of Los Angeles’ natural splendor and the one in Miami keeps him close to the beach and to the waters that also caress the shores of his beloved homeland of Cuba.
Patiently and cordially, he talked with us—although sparingly in some cases—about some of the bad choices he’s made during his career, as well as his future projects.
In 2001, you starred in The Man From Elysian Fields, where you played a writer who compromises his morals in order to take care of his family. What convinced you to take on such a controversial role?
The script, the quality of the writing and the interesting premise. I thought it was a refreshing story, and I felt that I could play the role well. But, definitely, the richness of the script was a determining factor.
While preparing for the role, did you ever ask yourself whether you would ever do the same thing in real life?
When I prepare for a role, I’m very aware that I’m incorporating the character into real life; in fact, I bring some of my own life experiences to the character. This includes asking yourself a lot of questions: not just thinking about what you would have done, but also what you wouldn’t have done, or what I’ve done in my life and haven’t done or why I didn’t do it.
How do you handle it when a movie of yours is not received well by critics, or audiences are not as enthusiastic about it as you would’ve hoped?
All films have a commercial and creative value. Although the commercial value is important, it doesn’t influence its creation and all the emotions you invested in it. A movie has a life past the premiere, but that isn’t all of its life. We know that there are films that were box office flops when they premiered, but were later successful. Movies stay around and find audiences for a long time. If the movie has a message, people will remember it.
The way to measure the greatness of a movie or book is not by the number of sales. You would like it to be ommercially successful as well, but, in reality, you don’t make it for that reason, but rather for the story that you want to tell. These two things don’t necessarily go hand in hand. My satisfaction comes from making the film, from the fact that it exists. Later, audiences will determine what kind of life it will lead.
Movies, Music and Family
What projects have caught your eye lately?
There are many. Confidence is about to debut. I got to work with Edward Burns and Dustin Hoffman, two actors that I admire and respect very much. I thought the plot was very interesting because it’s about gangsters and has lots of action. I also did Basic with John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson. In addition, I’m working on The Lost City, which I also direct. It’s about a subject that has always been close to my heart: Cuba under Castro.
People say that you are one of the more modest actors in Hollywood and that you’ve always frowned upon appearing nude in movies. Is that true?
Nude films are almost a genre in themselves, don’t you think? It’s part of the American and international film industry. There are many movies that have it at different levels….including the pornographic level. But that’s something that doesn’t interest me.
Isn’t there any role, a really interesting one, perhaps, that would persuade you to do it? A role, for example, like the one Tom Hanks did in Cast Away?
That’s a different situation. I was referring to erotic films. But if a regular role requires something like that, depending on the role and the script, I would look into it.
You’ve been involved in musical projects in the past, like the one with Cachao. Have you ever considered recording an album?
Yes, of course. Although I produced and participated in Cachao’s projects (the documentary Cachao, como su ritmo no hay dos and Cachao Master Sessions I & II) and I’ve even done songs for some movies (Steal Big, Steal Little and Just the Ticket), I’d like to have an album with my own music. I’d like it to be a project that allows me to use my talents as a composer and a musician because I do compose.
My music is very Cuban, but it’s also been influenced by international elements, American music and a little jazz and blues. It’s a combination of many types of music—all the different kinds of music that have surrounded me from my childhood until now.
Aside from movies and music, you’re known for maintaining a stable family. You just celebrated your 20th anniversary. How do you achieve that in such a frivolous environment as Hollywood?
I think that marriage is a religion: it’s a commitment, giving of yourself completely, being dedicated. I’ve been with Mariví all my life. Ever since I met her in 1975, we’ve been very close—as friends, as lovers, as parents, as friends of our children.
What’s the key to steering clear of the scandals that seem to follow some celebrities?
It’s because I don’t live that lifestyle. My life revolves around my work and my family. That alone takes up more than 24 hours in a day and leaves me with no free time for other things. Honestly, I rarely think about such things. I’m this way because of the way my parents brought me up. I think it all starts with being an example, and I’ve always believed that it’s my responsibility to be a good example for my children, just the way my parents were for me.
Back to your career, are you aware that many of your fans want to see you win an Oscar?
That’s something that comes to you and is in the hands of other people. All I can do is keep growing as an actor and as an artist, in general. To accomplish that, you have to get involved in different areas and challenge yourself constantly, as well as one more thing: not be afraid of making mistakes, because that’s part of the process.
Have you made mistakes?
Personally, I’ve accomplished everything I wanted. Maybe some may think that I’ve made some bad choices when choosing movies that didn’t do well at the box office, but that’s very subjective. Someone once said: The fact that my work exists is a success in itself.” I think that’s a great philosophy to have.
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