Seven Films, Seven Days, Seven Cities

Maya Indie Film Series kicks off its third season on July 29 in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago
Seven Films, Seven Days, Seven Cities

Films from Eva Longoria, Kate del Castillo, Oscar Nunez, Christian Slater,
Manny Perez, Mark Ruffalo and Orlando Bloom

Los Angeles (June 23, 2011) – The Maya Indie Film Series (MIFS) will launch its third annual seven-city tour in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago on July 29, followed by San Antonio and San Diego on August 5, Dallas on August 12, Miami beginning September 9 and San Francisco on September 16.The series, which runs for seven days in each market, will bring seven critically acclaimed, Latino-themed films to these top U.S. markets. The series brings audiences the best in Latino-themed cinema, telling your stories.

Eva Longoria, Kate del Castillo, Oscar Nunez, Christian Slater, Manny Perez, Mark Ruffalo, Orlando Bloom, Juliette Lewis, Laura Linney, Elsa Pataky and David Rasche are among some of the actors featured in the series’ films.

“In our third year of the film series, Maya Entertainment continues to acknowledge and celebrate Latinos in film by presenting this event for American audiences across the country,” said Maya Entertainment CEO, Moctesuma Esparza. “ The Maya Indie Film Series strives to provide quality cinema made by the creative forces within the growing Latino entertainment community.”

Fueled by a belief that films bring communities together, the film series is Maya Entertainment’s way of ensuring targeted delivery of their films, allowing for maximum exposure within the marketplace. Offering a wide variety of cinematic genres, the film series is designed to engage independent film enthusiasts and to spark a renewed interest in these films to audiences all over the country. This cultural celebration highlights Maya’s ongoing commitment to entertain and educate audiences of the intricacies of modern multicultural cinema.

The Maya Indie Film Series will be participating with top Latino film festivals to exhibit select films including the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), San Francisco Latino Film Festival, San Diego Latino Film Festival's Fall film series Cinema en tu Idioma, the Chicago Latino Film Festival, Miami International Film Festival and Cinema Tropical.

Schedule of Events

THE SEVEN FILMS IN THE SERIES:
Forged
Director: William Wedig
Cast: Manny Perez (Courage Under Fire), David Castro (27 Dresses), Margo Matrindale (Orphan), Jaime Tirelli (Girlfight)

Synopsis: Set in the cold and rusty steel mill town of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Forged follows Chuco (Manny Perez) on his quest to redeem himself after committing a horrific sin against his son, Machito (David Castro). After Chucos release from prison, the boy, now 13 years old, abused and homeless, seeks him out and simply mutters: You killed my mother. Now I kill you. As Chuco’s guilt and Machito’s need for a father take hold, they must both find a way to move past impossible circumstances to forge a bond that has been forever broken.

All She Can
Director: Amy Wendel
Cast: Corina Calderon, Jeremy Ray Valdez (la Mission), Joseph Julian Soria, Julia Vera

Synopsis: Luz Garcia, a high school senior in a small Texas town, wants something different than the options awaiting her after graduation. She's earned a ticket out with admission to the University of Texas at Austin, but she can't afford to go. Her one shot is a scholarship for winning the State Powerlifting Championship. It's all or nothing for Luz…until nothing stares her in the face. Official Sundance Film Festival selection.

Blue Eyes
Director: Jose Joffily
Cast: David Rasche (Burn After Reading), Frank Grillo (The Gates), Erica Gimpel (Profiler, ER), Irandhir Santos, Cristina Lago

Synopsis: Marshall, chief immigration officer of New York’s JFK Airport begrudgingly faces his compulsory retirement. On his last day of work, drunk and blinded by prejudice, he harasses a group of Latin American visitors and exposes them to a series of humiliating events that result in the death of a young Brazilian. Years later, after serving a lengthy prison term and filled with guilt, Marshall goes to Brazil in search of the victims daughter and is guided by a young street-smart woman named Bia.

Where the Road Meets the Sun
Director: Mun Chee Yong
Cast: Will Yun Lee (Die Another Day), Eric Mabius (Resident Evil), Elsa Pataky (Snakes on a Plane), Jesse Garcia (La Misma Luna), Laura Ramsey (She's the Man)

Synopsis: Where the Road Meets the Sun follows four men whose lives intersect for a brief time in the city of Los Angeles. Takashi, a Japanese hit man, wakes up from a four year coma and moves to Los Angeles to escape mysterious traumatic memories. He strikes an unusual friendship with Blake, the hotel manager who still mourns the loss of his wife to an affair he ended up regretting. Julio, an illegal immigrant, works at an Indian restaurant to provide for his wife and kid back in Mexico. He befriends Guy, a young British backpacker who lives off his estranged father's ATM card and sleeps with any girl who crosses his path. What follows are the wild times and often gut-wrenching adventures of four men trying to survive both emotionally and physically.

Without Men
Director: Gabriela Tagliavini
Cast: Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives), Christian Slater (True Romance), Oscar Nunez (The Proposal), Kate del Castillo (La Misma Luna), Paul Rodriguez (Born in East LA), Judy Reyes (Scrubs)

Synopsis: In this offbeat comedy, the women of a secluded Latin American village are left to rebuild their society after all of the men are recruited by a bumbling group of guerrillas. It may be a man's world out there, but in here, it's all woman.

Didi Hollywood
Director: Bigas Luna
Cast: Elsa Pataky (Snakes on a Plane), Peter Coyote (A Walk to Remember), Paul Sculfor, Flora Martinez

Synopsis: Di Di Hollywoodtells the tale of an actress whose wish for stardom comes at a heavy price. Her name is Diana Diaz, a young woman with a wild yet familiar dream: to become a star. And to win it all, she is willing to lose herself.
Tired of working nights as a bartender, Diana finally decides to leave her homeland, her best friend Maria, and all of the bad memories Spain holds for her. She heads out for the bright lights of Miami, and despite its glamorous first impression, this new paradise proves anything but.
Fed up with casting calls, hunger, and near-poverty, Diana continues to push forward, and with the help of new friends, makes it out to Hollywood. As Diana Diaz transforms into Di Di, the once ambitious bartender truly learns the price of stardom. Official Toronto International Film Festival selection.

SPECIAL SCREENING:

Sympathy for Delicious
Director: Mark Ruffalo
Cast: Mark Ruffalo, Christopher Thornton, Juliette Lewis, Orlando Bloom and Laura Linney.

Synopsis: Forced to live out of his car on skid row, Dean (Christopher Thornton) begins his descent into depression when he meets Father Joe Roselli (Mark Ruffalo), a passionate young priest. Father Joe introduces Dean to the world of faith-healing, an unlikely way for him to begin his quest to walk again. He soon discovers that he possesses the otherworldly power to heal people, but in an odd twist of fate, he is utterly unable to heal himself. Despite Father Joe’s warnings, Dean angrily decides to use his newfound gift for fame and fortune. He joins a rock band led by charismatic front man The Stain (Orlando Bloom) with bassist Ariel (Juliette Lewis), and manager Nina Hogue (Laura Linney). But his newfound notoriety is unable to cure the hurt that encompasses his life. To find true healing, Dean must ultimately confront his worst demons and come to terms with his own humanity. Official Sundance Film Festival Selection.

Revised Schedule-
Chicago - September 9
Dallas - September 16
San Francisco - September 16
Miami - September 23

***Dsiclosure-No compensation was received. Informational post only.