The New York International Latino Film Festival, which runs from July 27 to Aug. 2, will kick off with Peter Bratt’s “The Mission,” starring Benjamin Bratt; include a tribute to John Leguizamo; and conclude with John Cotten’s Mexican crime drama “La Linea” (The Line).
Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the fest will utilize a number of new venues in New York City like the Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 and the School of Visual Arts Theater.
“The NYILFF began as a dream to showcase our talent and to empower Latinos,” fest exec director Calixto Chinchilla said. “We’ve been fortunate to have grown in size and stature. This year, we have everything; highly anticipated Hollywood premieres to independent films from filmmakers across the globe, industry forums, music showcases and free outdoor events for everyone.”
“La Mission,” the opening night film, is set in San Francisco’s Mission District and stars Benjamin Bratt as a reformed inmate and recovering alcoholic who discovers his son is gay.
For the Leguizamo tribute, the performer will be honored with the Tres Generaciones COA Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in Latino filmmaking. The evening will include the screening of the actor’s 2007 film “Where God Left His Shoes,” directed by Salvatore Stabile.
“La Linea,” the closing night film stars Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Esai Morales, Armand Assante, Bruce Davison, Jason Connery, Michael DeLorenzo, Joe Morton, Valerie Cruz, Jordi Vilasuso, Danny Trejo, Kevin Gage and Gary Daniels.
The fest also will host a Dominican night, screening Cruz Angeles’ “Don’t Let Me Drown.”
The fest will feature several premieres, among which are: the music compilation film “Calle 13: Sin Mapa”; the short “Los Bandoleros/Fast & Furious”; “Red Apples Falling,” a look at the music of Harlem rap star Jim Jones; “Life is Hot in Cracktown”; the sports documentary “Assault in the Ring”; and the cheerleading movie “Bring It On: Fight to the Finish.”
Tagline: An evil entombed for 2000 years… until now
The Story: A team of mercenaries under the command of hard-charging war veteran Mack (Cuba Gooding Jr.), are contracted by a mysterious CIA operative named Elissa (Valerie Cruz) to rescue a scientist (Ron Perlman) working on an archeological discovery deep under the Middle Eastern desert. With the help of a mysterious priest (Henry Rollins), Mack and his team soon discover the true secret of what lies beneath the sands. A secret that has been protected for thousands of years. A secret that is not of this Earth
The Crew:
Jason Connery (Shanghai Noon, Urban Ghost Story, Night Skies ) is the director
Jerry Macaluso (Gods and Monsters, Modern Vampires, Little Nicky) is the special effects supervisor
Ron Trost (Crash, American Pie, Rushmore) is the special effects coordinator
Janeen York (Dead Man’s Hand, Evil Bong, Doll Graveyard) is the key makeup artist
