Writer-producer Bobby Moresco, who won an Oscar for co-writing "Crash," is teaming with Austin-based Artists Relations Group to bring to the big screen the story of Alina Fernandez, the only daughter of Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Moresco, who might also direct the project, will produce via his Moresco Prods. shingle. John Martinez and Noel Tristan produce for ARG.
Fernandez, a product of an affair while Castro was married to his first wife, spent her childhood in the country's shadow, only learning at age 10 that the man who visited her at night and whom she saw on TV every day was her father. In 1993, Fernandez disguised herself as a Spanish tourist and fled first to Spain, then to the U.S., where she has been living in exile ever since. Fernandez is recognized worldwide as one of the most outspoken of Castro's relatives.
The producers are not planning to do a biopic or a simple escape story but are envisioning a multiplot story a la "Crash" that will show the Cuban and American perspectives and ideologies along with Fernandez's story. The project also will be seek inspiration from her memoir.
"For the last 20 years, I have been trying to show what is going in my country, trying to make people be a little more aware of how glorious we are and how many limitations we have," Fernandez told The Hollywood Reporter. "We are your neighbors, yet you know so little about us. It's going to be a good opportunity to show (audiences)."
Fernandez will be involved in the film as a story consultant as well as with media relations for the project.
Financing for development was provided by the Lamy Group. The project is out to writers.