Castro seeks out Robert Redford

Swiss Info / Reuters ^ | January 26, 2004 | Reuters

[LibFreeUSA]

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban President Fidel Castro, who has charmed some of Hollywood's biggest names, has paid a call on actor Robert Redford at his Havana hotel and discussed his latest film, on revolutionary icon Che Guevara.

Redford was in Cuba over the weekend wearing his producer's hat for a private screening of "The Motorcycle Diaries" for the widow and children of the legendary Argentine guerrilla fighter, who was Castro's comrade-in-arms.

"He came to me. ... He seemed in good health, good humour, good spirit," Redford said of the 77-year-old Cuban leader after their brief encounter at the Hotel Nacional on Monday.

Redford last saw Castro in 1988. The actor was said to have gone scuba-diving with the Cuban leader and was questioned by U.S. officials on his return to the United States.

In the 1990 film "Havana" Redford played a high-rolling American gambler during the final days of the Batista dictatorship, when Cuba was a mobster playground.

[Roberts]

From the same article: Castro has fascinated Hollywood stars. Jack Nicholson called him "a genius," Oliver Stone said he was "one of the Earth's wisest people" and Steven Spielberg said he spent "the eight most important hours of his life" with the Cuban leader.

[davisfh]

I'm guessing, of course, but I'd say that Redford is
pushing 60. He may be in his sixties. If it's important
to you, I'll research it and get back to you. Let me
know.

[Sam Cree]

Far as I know, you can go to Cuba, lots of folks from Miami go from time to time. However, I think you are not supposed to spend any money there.

[Hildy]

Robert Redford:

18 August 1937 (66 years old) (IMDB)

[InvisibleChurch]

Castro seeks out Robert Redford

i wonder if robert will deny him his essence?

[Arpege92]

Isn't it nice that Robert REDford is so chummy with cASStro!

[cubreporter]

Oh no, it isn't important to me I was just curious and someone just said he was 66. Thanks so much for offering to research it for me. Freepers are the best!

[cubreporter]

Thanks so much for that information. Appreciate it.

[cubreporter]

Probably. Wow...pitiful how these hollywood actors and actresses seem to gravitate to this kind of personality. Nicholson calling him a "Genius"? Someone else saying he is the wisest man on earth? Someone else saying it was the best 8 hours ever spent on this earth? Yipes...thes people must be living in a secluded shelll...obviously they haven't been around real, intelligent, wonderful American people. Each time I read something like this I realize the ones who make such assinine statements are mostly aging, hasbeen actors and actressess and this is one sure way of getting their faces or names back in the limelight if for only 15 minutes. When you think about it...the hollywood crowd (except for a few) really are some of the most insecure, needy, self-absorbed, sad group of people around. they sure lack something within themselves. Better them than me.

[tertiary01]

Maybe RR should get to know the people (as if Castro would let him). A friend of mine (Cuban expat- married gitmo serviceman) would go to see her mother in Havana every year or so (via Mexico City). At the age of seventy six, her mother was still having to clean the floors of houses of the party officials to make a living. My friend would send money over to her every month or so, but I guess a lot of it would get stolen or have to be used as bribes to the officials. She also said there's no dogs or rats in Havana. Yum Yum, serve some to RR.

[DeFault User]

they sure lack something within themselves

In college I knew a troupe of actors who were excellent and could play almost any role with virtual perfection. I went to a few cast parties and found them to be some of the most neurotic, wacko types I'd ever met. I believe it's an accepted theory that many find escape in playing roles that give them identity apart from their own insecurities. Of course, there are exceptions, Jimmy Stewart or James Woods, for example. But others will go with whatever is the political fashion in Hollywood or New York, adopting the persona that they think is expected of them.

[george wythe]

Far as I know, you can go to Cuba, lots of folks from Miami go from time to time. However, I think you are not supposed to spend any money there.

Americans with relatives in the island are allowed a couple of legal visits a year under our current 'ban;' they are also allowed to spend certain amount of money not to exceed a reasonable amount.

The actual numbers change from year to year, so I'm not to speed to the exact amounts.

Any American can easily ignore the ban by flying via Mexico or Bahamas. The Cuban government does not stamp US passports in order to protect American tourists who violate the travel ban.

Since 2002, the number of American tourists visiting Cuba surpassed the number of American visitors in 1958, the last pre-Castro year.

Obviously, the travel ban is a joke. There is a tourist segment that is being held back under our current ban, the cruise ship passengers.

[cubreporter]

You hit the nail on the head. Guess that's why they have those Masks on broadway and guess that's why hollywood tucks, pulls, stretches, stitches, pulls up, tightens and has surgery upon surgery to look forever young and someone they are not. Guess they love the money and themselves a whole lot more than reality but one day reality will set in and no one will want to see them anymore. The solid ones like those you mentioned always prevail. Excellent post and description. Thanks.

[Sam Cree]

I know people who have gone there by boat, folks not of Cuban descent. I believe it's fairly common.

[philetus]

Not for the rich and famous, I guess.