El Cucuy releases new book, sets the record straight
By ONANTZIN News
2011-05-18
Miami, FL -- Inspired by the award winning 2010 documentary, "El Cucuy: the other side of fear", which set award records across the United States and Latin America, El Cucuy, children's most feared figure in Latin America and parts of the United States, announced the release of his autobiography this morning in an interview with Despierta America.
Within minutes of it's release, the book ascended straight to the top of the New York Times Best Seller's list, and reports soon followed that websites like Amazon.com had been slowed down to a crawl, as people swarmed to buy the poignant autobiography.
The book, titled "My story: misunderstood and exploited", reveals a plethora of new information about the infamous figure; It brings to light intimate details about his early upbringing, the troubled relationship with his alcoholic father, and describes in length the conspiracy that turned him from a warm and loving creature, to a child's worst nightmare in Latin America; The book explainst how it all began, citing sources that point to a group of parent's who conspired and turned his disfigured, but harmless figure, to that of a frightening creature used to scare, manipulate, and control impressionable children – innocent kids who were told to behave, or "El Cucuy" would eat them, kidnap them, or worse.
During a televised reading on the Oprah show this afternoon (yeah, he was quite busy promoting his book today), El Cucuy choked up and had trouble holding back tears as he read sections of his book describing his frustration at being exploited and misunderstood, the anger stemming from that frustration, and his bouts with substance abuse and depression, which eventually lead to what he describes as "Los diaz mas oscuros de mi vida" ("the darkest days of my life").
Relegated to the margins of society, he stumbled from place to place selling chiclets at first, then drugs, and eventually stealing and assaulting people on the streets for drug money. Ironically, he admits that his actions during this period only exacerbated children's fear of him; Every contact with the general populating, he recalls, even when he meant no harm, resulted in children yelling and screaming in panic as they ran away from him.
His abhorrent journey through Latin America's underworld of drugs and violence continued for decades, until one unexpected morning, when a journalist by the name of Esteban Lopez stumbled across the pathetic figure. Esteban, having experienced homelessness and the trappings of the drug world himself, was interested in writing a story about "El Quartel", Latin America's version of Los Angele's Skid Row. He began interviewing El Cucuy and was shocked to discover the true identity of the figure in front of him. At first, he wrote him off as a crazy, delusional creature claiming to be the mythical Cucuy figure. But as Esteban learned more about him, it became apparent that the lowly figure was not demented, and his story seemed genuine and coincided with historical events that had taken place.
Esteban followed through with his research and a few weeks later released his series of articles titled "My interviews with El Cucuy". His articles garnered national praise and raised awareness about the real Cucuy - a warm, loving figure who had been systematically exploited by parents and the media for personal gain. The award winning documentary soon followed, and it spring-boarded El Cucuy into the national spotlight. His book release today marks his continued effort to expose the lie perpetrated on him.
Talks are also in place for a movie, which will be directed by Oliver Stone, with the lead role of El Cucuy said to be played by Gael Garcia Bernal. Asked how he felt about being played by Gael Garcia, El Cucuy responded "Me cae gordo porque me tiene miedo, pero como actor lo respeto" ("I hate him, because he fears me, but as an actor, I respect him"). Also confirmed to feature in the film is Shakira, who will perform her hit single "No te metas con mi Cucuy" in one of the scenes.
When asked what's next for him during the Oprah show, he promised to use his new found fame to help those who have also been victimized, as he was. He has plans to reach out to his American friend, the Boogey Man, and help him dispell all myths, lies, and fears about him.
