Highlights of Reel Rasquache 2008

This is the official website of the 5th Annual Reel Rasquache Festival of the U.S. Latino Experience in Film and Art

Niña Quebrada
East Los Premiere, 2008, Drama, 23 mins.
Director: Jen Kleiner; Producer: Diana Romero; Story by Diana Romero; Screenplay by Diana Romero, Danny Klein, Jen Kleiner; Cinematographer: Mike Williamson; Editor: Rob Buttermilch; Production Design: Alfredo Acle; Composer: Russ Howard III
The story of Lucena, a teenage girl who runs away from her family in Mexico for the love of a boyfriend who promises her a better life in Los Angeles. The reality, unbeknownst to her, is that he has different plans for her.
Producer Diana Romero and Director Jen Kleiner will be on hand for Q&A.

Muñeca
California Premiere, 2007, Drama, 70 mins.
Director: Roderick Giles, Mario Lopez; Writers: Christina Soto, Romelio Rivera, Eric Velarde; Producer: Christina Soto; Executive producers: Christina Soto, Darryl Sempl; Cast: Frances Lozada, Chaz Mena, Eddie Rimada, Tanya Cruz
The Latino-based romantic comedy revolves around the central character Esteban (played by Chaz Mena, a Manhattan resident), who deals with the shortcomings of being single until a beautiful life-sized doll (played by Frances Lozada, a Queens native) shows up at his doorstep. The two eventually become "romantically involved," and the plot develops from there. The characters also come to life thanks to supporting performances by North Bergen residents and actors Eddie Rimada and Tanya Cruz.
Producer/Co-Writer Christina Soto will be on hand for Q&A.

The 7
East Los Premiere, 2007, Horror/Drama, 85 mins.
Director: Adam Schlachter, Writer/Producer:Blacky Bokich, Director of Photography: Tim Angulo, Executive Producer: Alain Silver, Composer: Carlos Alvarez; Cast: Sandra Echeverria, Henry Czerny, Kelly Blatz, Alison Macinnis, Walter Perez, Carrie Finklea, Derek Craigie, Dani Miura
High school seniors on a field trip to a cave with their science teacher encounter a problem not covered in the class outline.
Director Adam Schlachter will be on hand for Q&A.

Alondra Smiles
East Los Premier, 2008, Romantic Comedy, 119 mins.
Director: Conchita Nora Villa; Writers: Conchita Nora Villa, Juan Francisco Villa; Producer: Juan Francisco Villa; Store: Arturo Solar; Cast: Natalie Gomez, Paloma Rodríguez, Anthony Marquez, Hill Remez, Hugo Daniel Delgado, Brandon Miradi, Crystal Havens, Marie Lusher; Son E. Blas, Manny Cazz, Jose V. Villa, Josefina Ortega-Villa
An up-and-coming ensemble brings to life this heartwarming family film about a sweet fourteen-year-old girl who’s preparing her coming-of-age celebration amid the turbulence of emotions that is known as adolescence.
Director Conchita Nora Villa will be on hand for Q&A.

Casa Libre/Freedom House
World Premiere, 2008, Documentary, 57 mins.
Director: Roberto Oregel, Producer: Chon Noriega
Profiles the lives of teen residents of Casa Libre, a nonprofit organization that provides a home for homeless undocumented teenagers whose flights from abuse bring them to Los Angeles.
Director Roberto Oregel and Producer Chon Noriega will be on hand for Q&A.

The Sun Shines on the Other Side of the Street
Los Angeles Premiere, 2008, Drama; 26 mins.
Director Emilio Rosa; Writer: Emilio Rosa, Juan Shamsul Alam; Producers: Tito Puente Jr., Emilio Rosa, Juan Shamsul Alam
This story tells of a father and son who each try to help their family in different ways, under the looming shadow of poverty, drug dealers and social indifference.
Director Emilio Rosa and musician/actor Tito Puente Jr. will be on hand for Q&A.

DNN: Dead News network
Los Angeles Premiere, 2008, Animation, 16 mins.
Directors/Writers/Producers: John Jota Leaños, Sean Levon Nash
Unfair and unbalanced! An animated newscast from the dead unburies top stories censored by the living. Host, Peter Deadings reports bone breaking Deadline News from the frontlines of the War on Errorism, the Million Muerto March, and the Rave at the Rotunda.
Directors/Writers/Producers John Jota Leaños & Sean Levon Nash will be on hand for Q&A.

Pancho Goes to College
Writer/Director: Rubén Reyes
Pancho is looking forward to his new life in college, away from the barrio, his culture, and way of life. But then he meets his new zany roommates, and together, they discover girls, parties, study time, and multiculturalism in a large Arizona college campus. Can Pancho adapt? Will he survive away from home? Shot entirely in Southern Arizona, Pancho Goes To College is a comedy feast for the eyes and ears. Scenic desert landscapes, crazy college parties, class lectures, rowdy Chicano bars, and an eclectic rock-norteño-hip-hop music soundtrack drives "Pancho Goes To College" as a fast paced coming-of-age comedy with heart.

3 AmÉricas
2007, Drama, 98 minutes
Director/Writer/Editor: Cristina Kotz Cornejo
When tragedy strikes, 16 year old, América Hart Campos is sent to Argentina to live with her anti-American grandmother, Lucía América. América struggles to find her place with a grandmother she has never known and to hold onto a friendship with Sergio, a neighbor twice her age.

A Blast from the Past—Check out the 2007 Reel Rasquache Film & Event Schedule.
This site is under construction. Please return for updated information.
For information about film submissions, contact Festival Director, Prof. John Ramirez at director@reelrasquache.org
Download the Film for Thought High School Showcase submission form here.
For more information email info@reelrasquache.org