With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff.
NewsMax.com, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2002.
Showtime, the cable TV channel that brought America "Queer as Folk,"
is offering a four-hour portrayal of "one of the 20th century's most
controversial political leaders, Cuban dictator Fidel Castro."
The "Fidel" miniseries "suggests both the successes and
failures of his Communist regime," the New York Daily News reported today.
The network's Web site insists the "fact-based drama," starting
Sunday night, covers "his ultimate transformation from man of the people to
despotic Soviet puppet." Cuban-American activists remain skeptical.
"Without seeing it, it is hard to be critical. [But] films about Castro
usually do glorify him because the entertainment industry in this country is so
far to the left," Juan Gutierrez, New Jersey regional director of Cuban
American National Foundation, told the Daily News.
"Instead of portraying his life in general terms, maybe what they ought
to focus on is his criminality, as [filmmakers] do with any Mafia kingpin."
Even "Fidel" actor Tony Plana, whose family escaped from Castro's
island gulag when he was 8, admitted he was uncomfortable taking the role of
Batista - "I don't agree with everything in the film."
Director David Attwood told the Daily News: "I think there will be
controversy and protests, because there are people whose lives were destroyed by
the revolution — and no one is denying that. It could clearly upset a lot
of people. ...
"If you make a film like this, you're accused of being pro-Castro. But
I was fascinated by his character and by the contradictions posed by the
successes and failures of his revolution.
"The moral ambivalence of the film can make for quite uncomfortable
viewing, yet we try to let the viewer make up his own mind."
Yes, let's not be judgmental about a murderous, civil-rights-destroying
tyrant and abettor of terrorism. Will "Showtime" next offer a neutral
portrayal of Hitler, Stalin or Pol Pot?
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