Contact: René Garza For Immediate Release
Tel: 210/317-3214
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Comedic “Crossing The Border” Story Is First
Feature From Those Guys & That Girl Films
San Antonio, TX – August 28, 2009 – CRUZANDO, the first feature film from Those Guys and That Girl Films, San Antonio, TX-based production company, is pleased to announce that the film’s San Diego festival premiere will be at this year’s 8th Annual San Diego Film Festival being held September 23 – September 27, 2009. The film, which has won multiple awards and critical accolades at every film festival where it has been screened, is a comic look at two pals from Mexico who set off on an arduous trek crossing the Rio Grande to reunite with the long lost father of one who is facing a death sentence in Texas.
CRUZANDO will be screened at the San Diego Film Festival Friday, September 25, at 5:30 PM, and Saturday, September 26, at 9:30 PM at Gaslamp Theatre (Screen 7), 701 5th Avenue, San Diego, CA. The running time: 94.51 minutes.
The film’s principal cast includes Michael Ray Escamilla, Mando Alvarado, David Barrera, Gerardo Rodriguez, Tony Campisi, Maria Helen and Janis Dardaris. The director-writers are Mando Alvarado and Michael Escamilla. The producer is Liza M. Rodriguez, and the Executive Producers are René Garza, Abby Paige Fenton, Donna Daley and Pete Miller.
In recent years there have been many earnest films made about the struggles of Latin American migrants trying to cross into the U.S., many illegally, seeking a better tomorrow for themselves and their families. According to the filmmakers, CRUZANDO is different, much different. It is a madcap adventure that follows the dramatic, and often comical, journey of two Mexican “no hopers” who brave the real hazards of such a trip when one of the buddies, Manuel, about a week before his first child is due, learns that his long-lost father is scheduled to be executed in Texas. Against his wife’s wishes, he quits his job cleaning peep show booths at a local strip joint, and heads north while being pursued by the club’s brutal bouncer. He is joined by his videocam-toting pal Diego who is planning a documentary of the trek. Mistaken identities, family traumas and bouts with dehydration complicate Manuel’s quest, but he finally learns a familiar lesson: There’s no place like ’home’ – even if ‘home’ is not all that great!
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CRUZANDO Screenings/San Diego Film Fest
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Playing the film festival circuit, CRUZANDO has gotten off to an amazing start, receiving accolades both nationally and internationally, including a Silver Palm Award from the Mexico International Film Festival for demonstrating superior and standout filmmaking. Additionally OC Weekly in California proclaimed CRUZANDO a film that is “not to be missed.” Gustavo Arellano, film critic at the paper, wrote: “Nowadays, border-hopping dramas are a peso a dozen…Few dare find the funny in such a large-scale human tragedy (the Citizen Kane of the genre, of course, is Born in East L.A.), but one of the bold ones is Cruzando. In a bit of Woody Allen-esque bravado, writer-directors Michael Ray Escamilla and Mando Alvarado play a buddy team crossing the Rio Grande in the hopes of Escamilla’s character, Manuel, meeting his father (who crossed into the U.S. decades ago) before his execution. Diego (Alvarado) films every godforsaken step of the way. With beautiful cinematography, expert acting, and a story that doesn’t drag. Cruzando won’t legalize millions but might teach ‘gabachos’ a thing or two without shoving amnesty down their throats.”
CRUZANDO came away a 'winner' at five film festivals this year – Mexico International Film Festival (Silver Palm Award); Athens International Film Festival (Feature Narrative); Seattle True Independent Film Festival (Best Foreign Film); Reel Rasquache Film Festival (Feature Narrative); and San Antonio Film Festival (Michael Ray Escamilla, Grand Jury Award for Best Actor). The film has also been an Official Selection at this year’s Washington, DC International Film Festival, Cine Las Americas International Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, Marfa Film Festival, Cinesol Film Festival, London Latin American Film Festival and New York International Latino Film Festival.
CRUZANDO is the first feature film produced by San Antonio, TX based company Those Guys and That Girl Films, LLC. The company was established in 2005 and is minority owned. The mission is to develop and produce groundbreaking films that portray the Latino experience as influenced by American culture.
The film’s official website is: www.cruzandothemovie.com.
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