Game of Thrones Meets the Count of Monte Cristo: Spanish Kings, Borderlands & Genocide Continue to Haunt the American Southwest

By: Robert Diamond Oct. 24, 2017

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ The history of the American Southwest is riddled with tales conflict, conquest and consequences. Often lost in this history are untold stories of intrigue, betrayal, greed, genocide and stolen legacies.

For American artist and entrepreneur Roland Barrera, an unfortunate business entanglement set him on an unexpected path of discovery that would unearth a truth almost too incredible to be true. After single-handedly creating Orange County's top rated Jazz Club and Lounge, Roland found himself betrayed by long time friends and business partners. Forced to step away from his business, Barrera spent time researching his ancestry. In doing so he uncovered his family's storied history and soon realized it had far reaching implications.

His family's fight for justice stretches from the original Spanish land grants ordered by King Charles III of Spain and spans generations of war, genocide, stolen land and countless fortunes.Barrera uncovered struggles against the US Government, hired guns, rebels, banditos and revolutionaries.

These experiences mirrored those of countless Spanish/Tejano settlers in the region. It is a history he also shares with Hollywood mogul and distant relative Eva Longoria. On a recent episode of Faces of America with Henry Louis Gates Jr, Longoria discovered the complex and dangerous history of her family and their battle to hold onto their land. He even proclaimed that Ponciano Longoria belonged in the history books alongside Sam Houston and Davey Crockett.

"I read recently that Eva discovered her family's history with the Texas Rangers," adds Barrera. "The land dispute she speaks of is the same one I discovered in my family history. It is an incredible story and one that needs to be told."

Enlisting the help of respected Landman Gabriel Grajales, Barrera made another startling discovery. His family owned large and intertwined lands surpassing ten thousand acres. According to Grajales, Mr. Barrera and his family may be entitled to thousands of surface and mineral acres.

Barrera's discovery has led him to write The COUNT, a new series inspired by his distant great grandfather Juan Longoria and his fight to keep his lands while navigating the changing political tides of no less than six countries' flags. The series segues between Barrera's current business dealings and Longoria's fight for survival. It also tells a story of North American history previously untouched upon.

"What began as an attempt to learn about my family history, took an amazing turn," says Barrera. "I uncovered an incredible true story of survival, bloodshed and injustices endured by so many families. It is a story that needs to be told."

Roland Barrera will be attending America Film Market in Santa Monica November 1-8. He will be available to discuss The COUNT as well as new information he has uncovered regarding this unique chapter in North American history.

To contact Roland Barrera or to schedule an interview contact roger@thecountsurvival.com

For More Information Please Visit www.thecountsurvival.com

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SOURCE The COUNT