by Antonio Mejías-Rentas
Daddy Yankee as he appears in the movie Talento del Barrio, which debuted July 23, 2008 at the New York Latino Film Festival. (photo by Associated Press)
FILM FARE: Three major films with Latino stars make it to U.S. theaters this week.
Both Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Henry Poole is Here open nationally Aug. 15 and the third, Talento de barrio, debuts in Puerto Rico Aug. 14, ahead of an expected continental U.S. opening in the fall.
The latest film from director Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona was fi med in the title city in Spain and stars that country’s Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem. It also stars Spanish actress Penélope Cruz—Bardem’s girlfriend, according to media reports—and Scarlett Johannsson.
The Allen film is about an American tourist who visits Barcelona, falls in love with a local painter and has to deal with his ex-wife.
Henry Poole is Here, about the effect of an apparent miraculous apparition in the home of a non-believer, features Oscar-nominated actress Adriana Barraza (Babel). The Mexican actress plays the Latina woman who discovers the face of Jesús etched on a wall of the home of the title character. The film also features George López as the priest who examines the reported miracle.
The third film, Talento de barrio, had its world premiere last month at the New York International Latino Film Festival. It marks the acting debut of reggaetón recording artist Daddy Yankee and its soundtrack hits stores this week. The film has been picked up for U.S. distribution by Los Angeles-based Maya Releasing, which has not announced a release date.
ONE LINERS: Mexican actors Diego Luna (Y tu mama también) and Camila Sodi are first-time parents to a baby boy, his film company Canana Films announced.
The baby was reportedly born in Los Angeles. Los Tigres del Nonte, the best-known singers of Mexican corridos, begin their fifth tour of Spain this month. Based in San José, Calif., they’ll play gigs in five cities through Aug. 24… Gloria Estefan announced a benefit concert to take place next October in Hollywood, Florida, to benefit several South Florida school districts… and Puerto Rican reggaeton singer Ivy Queen, 36, says she is studying to obtain her high school diploma some 15 years after dropping out of school. Hispanic Link.
