Lions Gate FilmsInternational has confirmed that it will handle international sales on AndyGarcia's directorial debut The Lost City, a dramatic Cuban love storywhich is set to begin shooting in June in the Dominican Republic, Miami and NewYork.

Garcia will play the leadrole with a large ensemble cast including Dustin Hoffman, Benjamin Bratt, TomasMilian and Ines Sastre.

Set in Havana during thefall of the Batista regime and the start of the Castro revolution, the filmfollows a cabaret owner (Garcia) and his struggle to hold on to his family asit is torn apart by the politics and violence of the time. The story andscreenplay are by G Cabrera Infante.

Frank Mancuso Jr'sproduction company FGM will produce the film with Crescent Drive Pictures,which is a partnership of Garcia, Tom T Gores and Johnny O Lopez, and CineSonProductions. Mancuso first worked with Garcia on Internal Affairs in1990.

Comerica is providing bankfinancing and services, including working with the bonding agency.