Sarah Siegel-Magness will direct Castro’s Daughter, based on the memoir written by Alina Fernandez. She will be replacing Michael Radford on the project.
Fernandez was born in 1956, three years before Castro took power in Cuba. She fled in 1993, disguised as a Spanish tourist. She hosts her own radio show “Simplemente Alina.” Siegel-Magness commented on the importance of telling Fernandez’s story:
Alina Fernandez is an unsung hero who has carried the invisible flag for freedom and democracy
Siegel-Magness will produce through her own Smokewood Entertainment alongside John Martinez O’Felan and Joe Lamy of Mankind Entertainment. The screenplay was written by Bobby Moresco and Nilo Cruz. Cruz, is co-producing and will consult with Siegel-Magness. He is a Cuban native whose family left the country in 1970.
The film isn’t expected to start shooting until 2014. Siegel-Magness last helmed Crazy Kind of Love starring Virginia Madsen.
