Showing posts with label Hands of Stone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hands of Stone. Show all posts

Friday, February 3, 2017

10 Best Latino Performances of 2016 and Their Absence From The Nominations

By José Alberto Hermosillo,

It is Award Season, and many wonder why Latino actors are not nominated for the Oscars and Golden Globes.

Last year, the African-American community ignited a movement, #OscarsSoWhite. 

 They rightly argued the lack of people of color nominated in the acting categories for the past two years. The hashtag went viral within minutes after the nominations were announced.

Their campaign in social media brought the attention of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences to change its rules. They needed to bring in new members of minority groups and encouraged movie studios to cast more diversity in their productions.

This year, African-Americans are making sure they heard their voices by producing high-quality films competing for the awards: “Fences,” “Loving,” “Moonlight,” “Hidden Figures,” and “Kicks.” Also, the documentaries: “13th,” “I Am Not Your Negro,” and “O.J.: Made in America.”

It makes us think: is this year going to be #OscarsSoBlackAndWhite and nothing in between? What about Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans?

This extraordinary example set by brave Afro-American filmmakers must be followed by our Latino constituents to produce compelling films with universal themes worthy of Awards. 

In 2016, Latinos had modest participation in the movies, but their excellent performances have been overlooked this Award Season.

Some schools, organizations, and film festivals began incubating new talent from minority groups. But it is taking way too long. Other foundations are helping with small grants to help finish their modest projects, but those are “baby steps” to reach the level of excellence needed to compete for Awards.

You don’t cure cancer with an aspirin.

In a more optimistic and inclusive world, influential A-list Latino directors (Del Toro, Cuarón, Iñárritu) should be bolder to seek, produce, direct, and mentor stories where Latino actors can play the leads. 

Filmmaking is a collaborative effort. Mentoring is the key to success.                              
Actor Géza Röhrig and filmmaker Laszló Nemes. Photo by Jose A: Hermosillo. Copyrights, 2016
Last year, first-time filmmaker Laszló Nemes won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film for “Son of Saul.” He was mentored by the now-retired Hungarian director Béla Tarr (“The Turin Horse”). The experience of a legendary filmmaker elevated the film to a high level of accomplishment. And that is what the Academy is looking for, excellence.

Why can’t Latinos follow this formula?

Halle Berry (“Monster’s Ball”) and Charlize Theron (“Monster”) won their Oscars because they produced their own films. They boldly believed in their own projects, accepted the challenge, and went to win gold.
Copyrights Modern Salon, Oct .2001.
The same thing happened when Salma Hayek produced “Frida.” She received an Oscar nomination because she worked hard to make a magnificent film and had the energy and courage to put things together. Also, she wanted to show the world her love for Mexico and its culture.
Juan de Dios Larrain, Gael Garcia and Pablo Larrain, The Neruda Team. Photo by Jose Hermosillo. Copyrights 2017

Chilean director Pablo Larrain and his brother, producer Juan De Dios Larrain, put together two great projects this year: “Neruda” with Gael Garcia Bernal and “Jackie” with Natalie Portman. Both were biopics and, in my opinion, were worthy of many awards.
Photo AFI FEST Copyrights, 2016.

However, “Jackie” did get the attention of the Academy voters. Again, it is a Latino director making a film without a Latino cast.

We, the Latinos working in the movie industry, must compromise and make films worthy of a Golden Globe or an Oscar for Latino actors. We all have dreams, don’t we? 

Many Latino movies are making big money at the box office.
Uruguayan Director Fede Alvarez, Photo Jose Hermosillo, Copyrights 2017
However, Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez had a number-one hit at the box office two weeks in a row with his thriller “Don’t Breathe.”
No Manches Frida, L.A. Premiere. Photo Jose Hermosillo Copyrights, 2016
The Mexican comedy “No Manches Frida,” started and produced by actress Martha Higadera (“Street Kings,” “McFarland, U.S.A.”), was number 8 in the U.S.A. as one of the most successful Independent films of the year.
Hands of Stone. Copyrights W.T.C., 2016.
The biopic of the Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran, directed by Venezuelan Jonathan Jakubowicz, “Hands of Stone,” was a hit at the box office and is having a big success overseas.
Mexican actor Diego Luna booked (and kept his accent) for the lead in one of the all-time highest-grossing, money-making movies, “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” Now, he will be Tony Montana in a new version of “Scarface.”

Recognizing the excellence of many talented Latino actors worldwide, whether from Hollywood, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Puerto Rico, or Chile,e is essential. 

And the best Latino Performances in a film in 2016 are:
Sonia Braga
(Brazil)
Aquarius
Brazil
Premiered in Cannes
(2016)

In “Aquarius,” Sonia Braga’s marvelous portrayal of Clara is unforgettable. She is a music critic, a mother, and a cancer survivor fighting for her ocean-view apartment and keeping her family together with a great sense of dignity and respect.

Diego Luna
(Mexico)
Rogue One:
A Star Wars Story
U.S.A.
(2016)

Diego Luna’s enormous screen presence is terrific as the rebel warrior Cassian Andor. He is making sure things happen in this spectacular Galaxy drama.

Edgar Ramírez
(Venezuela)
Panamá, U.S.A.
Premiered in Cannes
(2016).

Edgar Ramirez playing Duran is remarkable. He trained for nine months before getting into character to start the physical transformation that allowed him to get closer to what this real-world champion was.

Penélope Crúz
(Spain)
Ma ma
Spain, France
(2016)
Penélope Crúz is at her best in this emotional journey of a pregnant woman with breast cancer. The love and support of her family will play a significant role in this compelling and convincing contemporary story.

Salma Hayek
(Mexico)
U.S.A.
(2015)

“Septembers of Shiraz” is Salma Hayek’s best performance since “Frida.” 

Gael García Bernal
(Mexico)
Special Mention to:
Luis Gnecco
 (Chile)
Mercedes Morán
(Argentina)
Neruda
Chile
Premiered in Cannes
(2016)

“Neruda” is a cinematic work of art and poetry, full of temper and passion. This is the perfect antihero movie. Terrific cast.”

Emma Suarez
(Spain)
Adriana Ugarte
(Spain)
Julieta
Spain
(2016)

The haunting story of an obsessive woman and her daughter told thirty years apart. Adriana Ugarte is young Julieta, and Emma Suarez is mature Julieta. Both Spaniard actresses are just fantastic under the direction of Pedro Almodóvar.

Leia Costa
(Spain)
Victoria
Germany
(2015)

Spanish actress Leila Costa is terrific at playing Victoria. She will live one intense and unforgettable night in Berlin.

Lupita Nyong’o
(Mexico)
Queen of Katwe
The U.S.A.
(2016)
Kind and charismatic Mexican-born Oscar Winner actress Lupita Nyong’o is marvelous in this chess movie out of Uganda.

Desierto
Mexico
Closing Night Film, LAFF
(2016)

Gael Garcia Bernal is a natural playing this desperate young man who needs to cross the desert to reunite with his son. The drama of the immigrants will take global dimensions of today’s refugee crisis.

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“Endless Poetry” The Atypical Universe of Alejandro Jodorowsky

20 BEST GAEL GARCIA BERNAL MOVIES

“HANDS OF STONE,” A LATINO HERO, HAS RISEN
“Septembers of Shiraz” the Struggle of a Jewish Family
“Argentina” is more than Tango

“Desde Allá” Confronts the Macho Stereotypes with Hyper-realism

“Güeros” A Lyrical Love Letter to Mexico City

"No Manches Frida" L.A.'s Premiere


Copyright © 2017 Festival in LA 

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Thursday, August 25, 2016

HANDS OF STONE: A LATINO HERO HAS RISEN

By Jose Alberto Hermosillo

From the streets of Panamá to legendary status as one of the all-time greatest boxers, the life of boxer Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran is now the subject of a biopic on an epic scale.



From the outset, the film plunges into the world of boxing with intensity. Inside Madison Square Garden in New York, during a 66-second fight, Roberto Duran, portrayed by Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramirez (“Libertador,” “Carlos,” “Joy”), knocks out his opponent.

Robert De Niro plays the well-known trainer Ray Arcel, who fondly recalls his first meeting with Duran.


Arcel will never forget Duran’s punching power.

In the locker room, Ruben Blades (“The Maldonado Miracle” and “The Milagro Beanfield War”) portrays Duran’s ambitious manager, Carlos Eleta.


Carlos emphasizes the bond between the boxer and the controversial American trainer. After each fight, Duran likes to eat lots of ice cream to boost his confidence.

To learn the ropes and become a world champion, Duran needs to tone down his anti-American rhetoric and start working with his new American trainer. He must focus on the fundamentals. They had to relocate to Panama for training because Arcel was banned from coaching in the US. If Duran wants to succeed, he must perfect his technique under the world’s best trainer. “Boxing is a mental game. Prison is a mental state.”

 

The main difference between Mexican and Panamanian boxers is that Panamanian boxers are often trained to salsa music, which helps refine their movements and shape their fighting styles. For Panamanians, every Duran fight against an American opponent became a political showdown.


The differences between these two countries are clearly shown in the film. Duran represented hope for his people. The same people who suffered under American colonialism saw each of Duran’s championships as a chance to build strength and resilience.

 

Roberto Duran, alongside Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Julio Cesar Chavez, is considered one of the greatest boxers in history. Director Jonathan Jakubowicz (“Secuestro Express”) spent seven years bringing his vision to the big screen. The Venezuelan filmmaker wanted to tell the story of a Latino hero but had to wait for all the pieces to fall into place.


Director Jonathan Jakubowicz, photo by Jose Alberto Hermosillo, Copyrights @ Festival in LA 2016

As an outsider, the director was able to objectively portray the political turmoil and the conflict with the USA over ownership of the Panama Canal.


Filmmakers shot every fight with different lenses to recreate the authentic atmosphere of each period, making the film more believable.


In “Hands of Stone,” the actors nailed their characters.


Edgar Ramirez, playing Duran, is outstanding. He trained for nine months before fully immersing himself in the role and beginning the physical transformation needed to match the real-world champion’s level.



This is Robert De Niro’s best performance in years.


Celebrity star and well-known singer “Usher” Raymond IV, who has appeared in other impressive movies such as “The Faculty,” “In the Mix,” and “Light It Up,” is natural, charismatic, and exceptional. He portrayed the remarkable American champion Sugar Ray Leonard with remarkable conviction. 

Usher made the legendary boxer Sugar Ray Leonard seem more human than ever before.


The film’s hyper-realism diminishes the symbolism, as we never learn the origin of the nickname “Hands of Stone.”


In “Hands of Stone,” the transitions move seamlessly from the drama of the fights to the poverty of its people and the parallels with social and political conflict, then shift back to the humanity of the charismatic Latino hero, Duran. 

The famous “No Más Fight” took place on November 25, 1980, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, featuring Ray Leonard.

The outstanding performances compensate for the unbalanced, poorly structured script, a flaw that weakens much of the champion’s journey.


De Niro’s narration dominates the film, and we see too much of his character. Two compelling storylines compete with each other. For example, we did not need to know anything about Arcel’s unnatural junkie daughter because that doesn’t add anything to Duran’s story.


“Hands of Stone” is not a character-driven story; it’s more of an ensemble-cast plot, with other equally essential characters alongside the champion.

 

In 2013, Lee Daniels’ The Butler tells two compelling stories: one follows the life of the Butler inside and outside the White House, and the other follows his son, an anarchist member of the Freedom Riders fighting for Civil Rights in America. The title is not “The Butler & Son.” In Duran’s movie, the title is not “Hand of Stone & Ray Arcel.”



“Hands of Stone” is entertaining, likable, and exciting, but its delivery is confusing and unconvincing.

 

The significance of Duran’s movie lies in its portrayal of a real Latino hero, which seems almost impossible given the scarcity of positive Latino representation in Hollywood.

 

“Hands of Stone” is an inspiring film about the life, journey, and legacy of one of the greatest boxers in history, as seen by the Panamanian people and the world. It is worth watching.


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Copyright © 2016 Festival in LA

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