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April 10, 2001



Costner takes missile movie to Cuba

BBC News Online. Tuesday, 10 April, 2001, 12:38 GMT 13:38 UK

Hollywood actor Kevin Costner has flown to Havana for a special screening of his new movie Thirteen Days - based on the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

Costner, who also acted as a producer, was accompanied by his production colleagues Armyan Bernstein and Peter Almond when he arrived on Monday.

They plan to work with the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Arts and Industry to screen the film to public audiences.

They also hope to show the film to Cuban government officials involved in the crisis, which flared up due to US fears over Soviet missiles in communist Cuba.

The film's makers see the visit as a significant step forward in relations between the US and Cuba.

The island is still subject to Washington sanctions, including a ban on US tourism.

"The film has been very well received both in the US and internationally and since Cuba was ground zero during the missile crisis," said Costner's spokesman.

"It seemed indispensable that we have the opportunity to bring it to Havana."

Thirteen Days focuses on the standoff between Washington and Moscow that many consider the closest the world has come to nuclear war.

The crisis ended when Moscow agreed to withdraw its missiles from Cuba, to the annoyance of Castro who resented the deal being cut over his head.

In the movie, Costner stars as Kenny O'Donnell, a White House aide to President John F Kennedy and his brother Robert.

The film is based on the book The Kennedy Tapes - Inside the White House During the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The film is told through O'Donnell's eyes and the film-makers have had to defend the importance given to his role after claims of historical inaccuracy and exaggeration.

Costner's presence on Cuba will no doubt interest President Castro, who has said the missiles were intended to prevent a US invasion.

But Castro has not said whether or not he intends to attend one of the screenings of Thirteen Days.

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