Louis Gossett Jr Talks About Role In 'The Cuban'

 

Louis Gossett, Jr.

Legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr. recently made an appearance at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in support of his latest film, The Cuban.

The drama made its U.S. premiere at PAFF

In the film, directed by Sergio Navarrette, Gossett plays Luis Garcia, an elderly former well-known Cuban musician who now finds himself in a nursing home suffering from Alzheimer's.

The Cuban is a coming-of-age drama that centers on Mina (Ana Golja), a young Afghan immigrant who gets her first job in a nursing home. Her unexpected friendship with Luis reignites her love of music and changes her life forever.

With no will to live, Luis sits in a wheelchair all day. When Mina plays Cuban music for him and cooks his traditional food for him, something triggers Luis who comes to life.

At its core, The Cuban is about the power of music over Alzheimer’s and how it can literally change someone’s life. It’s also a touching story about life-changing relationships.

For decades Academy Award winner (An Officer and a Gentleman) Louis Gossett, Jr. has been plying his acting craft in film, television, and on stage.

During that time he has turned in some memorable performances including drill Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman, Fiddler in Roots, and Will Reeves in HBO’s The Watchmen.

In The Cuban, he’s added yet another to his impressive list of characters.

I spoke to Gossett (LGJ) about his role in the film.

DD: It’s good to see you.

LGJ:  I’m grateful to be here. In fact, I’m grateful to be anywhere.

DD:  Anything you want to talk about.

LGJ:  I just want everyone to know we can’t make it until we make it together.

DD:  Why do you say that?

LGJ:  There seems to be a disconnect between families. All generations need to reconnect.

DD: I’ll be sure to let people know you said that. In the meantime, I’d like to ask you about The Cuban and the character you play.  Who is Luis Garcia?

LGJ: He’s an ex-patriot refugee. He’s a fish out of water who is trying to find his way.

DD: How did you go about developing Luis?

LGJ: It’s not too much of a stretch to play Luis, who is Latin or someone like a Sam Cooke.

DD: Why?

LGJ:  Because with Luis and Sam it’s like the resurrection of an old culture.

DD: Ok, then let's talk about what was the most difficult part of playing Luis.

LGJ:  The Spanish words. I really wanted to know the Spanish words that I was speaking, but I couldn’t quite get it. I just couldn’t master the words.

DD:  How did you come to be involved with this film?

LGJ:  I got a call from Sergio (Navarrette, the director), who said the role was written for me.

The Cuban opens virtually in theaters July 31.

The Cuban, directed by Navarratte, and written by Alessandra Piccione, stars Gossett, Golja, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Lauren Holly, Giacomo Gianniotti, Shiva Negar and Jonathan Keltz.

Running Time: 1 h, 49 min