por Annalis Flores
Zoe Saldaña
Dominican-Puerto Rican American actress, Zoe Saldana will be honored at the fourth annual Midnight Awards presented by the Film Society. Saldana has appeared in films such as Vantage Point, The Terminal, Drumline, and NBC’s Law & Order. She is currently the face for Calvin Klein Underwear and the Calvin Klein Envy campaign. Her most infamous role was that of Nyota Uhura in Star Trek and Neytiri in James Cameron’s Avatar.
The late night talk show style ceremony presents the award to two young faces in Hollywood and independent cinema. The actor and actress “bring intelligence, talent, and depth of character to their roles.”
Saldana represents the category with her long standing in Hollywood and her work in the film Colombiana which is set to be released this September.
No more Latin Jazz at the Grammy’s
A recent press conference by Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow, Vice President of Awards Bill Freimuth, Academy Board Chair Emeritus, and GRAMMY winner Jimmy Jam announced a cut in various categories as well as an increase in entries. Among the categories cut by the Academy, ‘Best Latin Jazz Album.’ Artists of this category have now integrated into ‘Best Jazz Intrumental Album’ or ‘Best Jazz Vocal Album.’
This outrage has upset many artists who consider Latin Jazz an art form and a separate category from regular jazz. A petition against the Academy’s changes is underway for many who feel the same way. As John Santos, producer, bandleader, and composer, proclaims, “While our country is in an unprecedented state of Latino demographics and multi-culturalism, NARAS and the GRAMMY’s are moving backwards and embracing anti- immigrant sentiment that is being promoted by certain sectors.” Santos goes on to claim that due to mainstream artists, Latinos will not get the same chances and will be overshadowed by other artists.
Fernando Noriega nominated for best actor
At the WorldFest International Film festival, Fernando Noriega presented “Where the Road Meets the Sun” for the fi rst time in the great city of Houston, Texas.
The Mexican actor is well known for his series “Morir en Martes,” televised on the hit channel Televisa. Noriega was among the nominated for the fi lm “Where the Road Meets the Sun.” Although he did not win the category his fellow castmate, Will Yun Lee, won the prize. The fi lm took three prizes for the six it was nominated for, including ‘Best Director,’ ‘Best Actor,’ and ‘Special Jury Prize REMI.’
“Where the Road Meets the Sun” revolves around four individuals living in a Los Angeles, California hostel. Noriega is among the main characters in the fi lm, which also stars Eric Mabius, Will Yun Lee, Luke Brandon Field, and Laura Ramsey. Although the fi lm is hoped to be released in the summer, it will currently make its rounds among festivals such as the Asian Pacifi c fi lm festival. Noriega continues his hit series “Morir en Martes” which begins filming in the next coming months and other projects in store. The first season is already out in stores.
