Gun Hill Road + Latino filmmaking and where it's going

Tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 5th the film Gun Hill Road is set to be released in theaters.

As a filmmaker, a Bronx native and a Latino, I have to say one thing even before we talk about the film and the prospects of it's quality. BRAVO. Finally a film that tackles on Latinos and aspects of Latin culture that don't immediately derive from the atypical portrayal of Latinos as illegal immigrants, criminals, derelicts, rapists, whores and drug dealers/traffickers (and in some instances a combination  of any of these) and finally just tells a compelling story about people, sans the ethnicity crutch.

Synopsis - A father returns to his family after a three year stint in jail and discovers that his son is undergoing a sexual transformation all the while trying not to erode the vulnerable relationships between himself, his wife and the son he thought he knew. 

I have to say, right away, I'm enthralled with the concept of the film,written and directed by up and comer Rashaad Ernesto Green, it's about time a film depicts Latinos away from things stereotypical and willing to take risks and challenge the personas we've been typecast as. Now, this isn't a war cry, it's a progressive way of thinking from a film making perspective and one that both as indie film makers as well as fans of good dramatic cinematic films can get behind (my two cents).

The film stars Esai Morales (you probably remember him from La Bamba) as well as Judy Reyes (of Scrubs fame), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (who starred on HBO's The Wire). Yet perhaps most interesting of the casting of (and introduction of) Harmony Santana, who is living as a transgender woman (Check out the article on her on the NY Times website here).

That's the type of forward thinking and progress that Latino culture, especially our entertainment culture, that has needed a kick in the ass for some time. Breaking the mold of seeing the same people we see on the street on screen. (I think I'm not the only one who, if we could, would never want to see Daddy Yankee on screen ever again?)

Also, did we mention the film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival 2011 ?

Check out the trailer here. I know this blogger right here will be excited to get to the theater and check this out firsthand as should you.

"Decade of Fire: How the South Bronx was burned" - support indie films!

Here at BCP, we're from the Bronx. It's our home, our stomping grounds and quite frankly, it's ingrained in our attitudes, our history and just about every aspect of who we are and what we do (guerrilla filmmaking for instance).

So, recently friend and amazing artist  had shared a link for a film still in the process of being made, as far as we can tell called "Decade of Fire: How the South Bronx was Burned" and of course, it caught our attention. the film is co-produced by Vivian Vazquez, Gretchen Hildebran and Julia Allen. Being indie filmmakers and supporters of all things interesting and refreshing, we took a look at the trailer. It looks awesome.

They've also set up a kickstarter pledge - DONATE HERE .

We love a good story. And we think there's one right here in the making. Check out the trailer below, hit up the kickstarter page and lend a hand in helping to fund have this film get made. As Bronx natives, we're already fans, but you'll notice the quality of the documentary is there and even more so worth your dollars. Without help, stories like there never make it into the public scope. So, if you love film, if you love the Bronx, hell, if you just like supporting a good cause, by all means, check this out. Cheers.

Francis Ford Coppola drops knowledge and breaks rules

We're always scouring the internet for something interesting, so, since we came across this little interview held with the peeps over at the99percent.com with famed and legendary director Francis Ford Coppola.

Without getting too carried away, we just wanted to share this with you guys. It's not often you get directorial advice and life lessons compressed into a short blog, but, heed my words, it's totally there. Check it out

http://the99percent.com/articles/6973/Francis-Ford-Coppola-On-Risk-Money-Craft-Collaboration

Caan, Brando, Coppola, Pacino & Cazale on the set of the Godfather