Sunday, June 16, 2002
'Fidel Is Almost A Documentary'
Initial inhibitions apart, Mexican actor Victor Hugo Martin says he settled perfectly into the role of Fidel Castro
Bella Jaisinghani
Mexican actor Victor Hugo Martin has done his first film in English, in a role many actors would find desirable and challenging. He debuts in the first ever film on Cuban president Fidel Castro Ruz. The mini-series, Fidel, was commissioned by Hallmark Channel and is being aired on prime-time this weekend.
Admittedly, the film gave Mr Martin some tense moments. He was unsure of his language skills and also whether his performance would do justice to a veteran leader like Mr Castro. Despite many years spent doing theatre, this proved to be the first time Mr Martin essayed a biographical sketch. The trademark cigar, beard and olive army fatigues worn by the Cuban revolutionary probably helped the actor get into the skin of the character. "Although this is my first biographical character, I am well acquainted with the process of creating a character based on a particular person. That is how I have fashioned my previous roles," Mr Martin explains. "In reality, with 'bio' meaning 'life' and 'graph' meaning 'map', I always make such a map. The ingredients for the recipe for building my characters is real
life," he adds. Indeed, this time he had a living example to follow. "It was an honour to play Fidel, and I knew something about him, having studied with the children of Cuban exiles. But the difficult part came when I had to show the transition from boy to man. As a young lawyer around 1950, Fidel was fighting American exploitation and Cuba's corrupt regime led by Fulgencio Batista." Mr Castro eventually forced Batista into exile in 1959. Like him, Mr Martin has also had to wait for success. He had taken up a career with a theatre company in Mexico when he was just 14, despite his parents' protests. Later, he got a university degree in acting. "I have learnt all the crafts backstage, too, like making a wardrobe, lighting and scenery," he said in an earlier interview to a Los Angeles newspaper. Mr Martin, now 33, is based in California where it is easier to network for good roles. The actor compares cinema to a gamble because one does not know what the film will look like post-production. However, he believes his efforts in Fidel have paid off. One asks Mr Martin whether the film is true to life or takes cinematic liberties. "Well, the research involved was extensive because the intention of the director, David Attwood, was to be as accurate as possible at all times-Fidel is almost a documentary," he answers. "But obviously, with only three and a half hours at hand, it is impossible to show the whole of anyone, let alone someone so controversial and complex as Fidel. We are proud to be the first and only biographical representation of the Cuban Revolution and of the Fidel that we know of." Importantly, though, none of the cast or crew of the film gained direct access to the Cuban president. The film's research team had to rely on archival footage and a biography of the leader, and talked with people who knew him. One asks Mr Martin whether he agrees with the director's decision to stick to secondhand information. "To the best of my knowledge, Attwood was never offered the opportunity to meet Fidel," he defends. "Believe me, I am sure he would have jumped at the chance to meet with him. Fidel has a strong point of view of how to rule his country-as he always has. And I believe my point of view will do little to affect the situation there." Mr Martin treads carefully; after all, it's a sensitive issue. The US has had a longstanding dislike for Cuba, although it is now using Guantanamo Bay to park its prisoners of war from Afghanistan. Isn't there a danger that this film will fuel anti-American sentiment? "As far as Cuba's role in the War Against Terrorism goes, they are doing what they can (in Guantanamo Bay)," Mr Martin says. "So perhaps both countries could find the leadership necessary to resolve their conflicts, and then, with a greater strength, they really could work towards a peaceful world. This film does not take the so-called typical American position on Cuba, therefore I find it hard to think it will rally anti-anything." Interestingly, Fidel was edited in the US. "I find no irony in that," the actor says. "The idea to make a film about the Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro came from them. And it has been directed by an uncompromising British director." The last of many monologues is Mr Martin's favourite scene in the film. He openly expresses his admiration for actors Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Depp and Uma Thurman and looks forward to working with them. Well, considering he was originally tested for a supporting role in Fidel, but impressed Mr Attwood enough to bag the lead part, he might soon keep them company.
© 2002: Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd. All rights reserved throughout the world.