Brazil heartthrob plays Raul Castro in "Che" film

By Fernanda Ezabella

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - In his latest film, Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro portrays a man who is very much in the news himself these days -- Cuban President Raul Castro.

And though the similarities between the heartthrob and the normally dour Castro may not be immediately evident, Santoro says their eyes are similar.

The 32-year-old actor will be promoting "Che," directed by Steven Soderbergh, as well as the Argentine film "Leonera," directed by Pablo Trapero, at the Cannes Film Festival.

"Che" is based on the diaries of the Argentine guerrilla Ernesto "Che" Guevara on his revolutionary struggles in Latin America, starting in Cuba alongside Raul and his brother, Fidel, in the 1950s. Benicio Del Toro stars in the title role.

Although the Raul Castro part is small, it is topical. Raul Castro took over from his brother as leader of the communist-ruled island in February, 50 years after the events depicted in the film, and has embarked on a series of reforms.

"I knew it would be a delicate and very polemic role," Santoro said in an interview.

"As an actor, I have to try to incorporate the human being. I cannot do a political analysis about him."

A photo he saw of Raul Castro from 1953 helped him.