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First of all, congratulations to Calixto and to everyone involved in the NYLFF. I covered the first years of the festival when I was printing Shout Magazine and Tespis Magazine. It was fun to see it grow year after year to become a staple in New York's cultural scene. Now is celebrating its 10th Anniversary as the premier Latino film festival in the country specifically targeting the second and third generation, English-dominant, acculturated Urban Latino.
This year, major stars such as Benjamin Bratt, John Leguizamo, Calle 13, Ruben Blades, Vin Diesel, Christina Milian, Andy Garcia, Ray Liotta, Jim Jones, Easi Morales and Gilberto Santa Rosa will be part of it. Enjoy the festival people!

WHEN: Today July 27 -Ends August 02, 2009
WHERE: Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 (260 West 23rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues) and the School of Visual Arts Theater (333 West 23rd Street between 8th and 9th Avenues)

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

OPENING NIGHT – Tuesday, July 28
LA MISSION. Opening Night is the New York premiere of LA MISSION, starring Benjamin Bratt, Jesse Borrego, Erika Alexander, Jeremy Ray Valdez and Talisa Soto Bratt. LA MISSION is writer-director Peter Bratt's rich and powerful story of a man's journey toward redemption through his struggle with violence and homophobia. The film is produced by Benjamin Bratt, Alpita Patel and Peter Bratt. Sponsored by Heineken.


JOHN LEGUIZAMO AWARD PRESENTATION - Wednesday, July 29

WHERE GOD LEFT HIS SHOES. The film is the story of Frank, Angela, and their two children who are evicted from their New York City apartment and have no choice but to move into a homeless shelter. After a few difficult months, good news comes on Christmas Eve: a nearby housing project has an apartment available immediately, but Frank needs a job to qualify. While the rest of the city prepares for Christmas, Frank and his stepson roam the cold streets of New York trying to find a job by day's end. WHERE GOD LEFT HIS SHOES is the story of a family that refuses to break apart during the darkest time of their lives and discovers that they will survive as long as they have each other.
The NYILFF and Tres Generaciones® Tequila are proud to honor John Leguizamo, a great Hollywood success, a shining example to our community, and a long-time supporter of NYILFF. Leguizamo will be honored with the Tres Generaciones COA Award, a special award created by the brand to recognize outstanding achievements in Latino filmmaking.


DOMINICAN NIGHT – Thursday, July 30

DON’T LET ME DROWN. Directed by Cruz Angeles. In a post-September 11th world overflowing with fear and hate, two Latinos discover that sometimes the only thing that can keep them from drowning is love. Presented by Heineken, sponsored by HBO™ and the Dominican American Professional Alliance.



CLOSING NIGHT – Saturday, August 1

THE LINE. Directed by James Cotten, THE LINE is the story of rival mobsters and mysterious assassins waging warfare on the mean streets of Tijuana. It is a gripping crime drama with an all-star cast that includes 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. Presented by DIRECTV Más, sponsored by Heineken and Tres Generaciones® Tequila.


PREMIERES

CALLE 13: SIN MAPA. Calle 13’s innovative fusion of urban music with pan-regional sounds from across Latin America has garnered a Grammy, Five Latin Grammy awards, and worldwide critical acclaim. In SIN MAPA, we join the socially outspoken duo on their journey “Without a Map” across South America for an exploration of indigenous music and culture.

LOS BANDOLEROS/FAST & FURIOUS. LOS BANDOLEROS is the never-before-shown in theaters short film that reveals what happened to ex-con Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) after his disappearance at the end of the original adrenaline-pumping blockbuster, "The Fast and the Furious." Living as a fugitive in the haven of the Dominican Republic, Dom's tranquil life is eventually affected by a series of political and personal events, including his friendship with Don (Don Omar), Tego (Tego Calderon) and Han (Sung Kang), and the unexpected appearance of Letty (Michelle Rodriguez).

This leads to the latest adventure in the series, FAST & FURIOUS. When a tragedy brings Dom back to Los Angeles, his long dormant feud with FBI agent Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) threatens to reignite -- until they discover a common enemy. Dom and Brian declare a precarious truce, as they try to outmaneuver their adversary and exact revenge. From convoy heists to precision tunnel crawls across international lines, the two men push the limits of what is possible behind the wheel as they live for speed, drive for the rush and break all the rules!

RED APPLES FALLING.An uncensored look into the life and music of Harlem rap superstar Jim Jones and his Dipset Byrdgang. Rappers Mel Matrix, Sandman, NOE, Freeky Zeeky and Chink Santana comprise the most dangerous assembly of talent and muscle to emerge in decades from the streets of NY. Their real life stories, uncovered in hard-hitting interviews by Angie Martinez, weave together gritty realism with musical interludes.

LIFE IS HOT IN CRACKTOWN.Based on the 1993 best-selling novel by Buddy Giovinazzo, LIFE IS HOT IN CRACKTOWN shows the gritty, hard realities of a neighborhood, as well as the struggling, proud people who attempt to survive. The intertwining stories come together in a powerful climax of love and salvation, showing that despite the obstacles of life in the inner city, humanity and hope can still prevail.

ASSAULT IN THE RING.For the first time ever, the HBO Sports® Documentary ASSAULT IN THE RING reveals the real story behind the infamous 1983 Luis Resto-Billy Collins Jr. fight at Madison Square Garden -- a boxing match turned thirty-minute criminal assault.

BRING IT ON: FIGHT TO THE FINISH.Christina Milian stars as sassy cheer captain Lina Cruz, whose world is turned upside-down when her family moves from the urban streets of East Los Angeles to the sunny beach town of Malibu. At her new school, Lina clashes with Avery, the ultra-competitive all-star cheer captain, while also falling for Avery’s super-cute brother, Evan. Lina’s always been able to rise to a challenge, but can she create a new all-star squad, beat Avery at the Spirit Championships, and still keep her romance with Evan? Hot music, fierce competition and high-flyin’ fun continue in this all-new movie!

OTHER PREMIERES

• PARAÍSO. Directed by Leon Ichaso. • SULTANES DEL SUR (SULTANS OF THE SOUTH). Directed by Alejandro Lozano. • LA CLAVE. Directed by Mariella Sosa. • TREK TO THE HOLY LAND. Documentary featuring Al Sharpton.

Photo credit: All photos from the festival's web page. www.nylatinofilm.com