March 1, 2012 – Havana – Cigars: The Heart & Soul of Cuba, a documentary by James Suckling and James Orr on the fascinating world of the finest premium cigars of the world, was screened in Cuba as part of the celebrations of the XIV Habanos Festival.

The work takes viewers on a journey through Cuba along with expert James Suckling, a trip to unravel the secrets that make Habanos the finest cigars on the face of the earth.

Suckling has regularly traveled to Cuba since 1990, first as European Editor for Cigar Aficionado, and now with his own website www.jamessuckling.com. He has visited tobacco farms, cigar factories and stores, but this particular journey is devoted to ferreting out once and for all the secret about Habanos.

James Suckling, along with Canadian screenwriter and director James Orr and producer Toby Brocklehurst, wrapped up in this one-hour-long documentary film the key aspects of cigar making. What’s more, they went deeper into the culture and world of this exclusive product, which is born and marked by Cuban traditions and passions.

James Suckling is a North American expert and critic, a specialist in wines and cigars, who was Chief of Bureau for The Wine Spectator, as well as European Editor for Cigar Aficionado.

Suckling is internationally known as one of the most influential critics in the world of wine, as well as a seasoned expert in matured Habanos. He’s now the Wine Editor for Asia Tatler and runs his own website on Cuba and Habanos: www.heartandsoulofcuba.com

James Orr is a Canadian writer, director and moviemaker. His film career includes such blockbusters as Three Men and a Baby, Tough Guys and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. He has directed films just like Mr. Destiny and Man of the House. Orr has also recorded and produced videos on wines for www.JamesSuckling.com

Toby Brocklehurst has lived and worked in Cuba since 1990, organizing exclusive travel events as well as TV projects and movie productions. Toby runs an office in Havana that specializes in tourism and production. During the 1990s, he specialized in tobacco-oriented tours in Cuba, taking Habano lovers throughout their “Promised Land.”

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.