Mañana a esta hora, d: Lina Rodríguez, 2016
“José was exceptionally valuable as story editor on The Stairs. He assisted in shaping the project from its earliest stages, then connected me with our eventual executive producer Alan Zweig and provided thoughtful, imaginative, constructive feedback during the editing process. José is a highly gifted writer, a skilled communicator and a wonderful collaborator.” Hugh Gibson, filmmaker
Breathe the Night
Directed by Álvaro Girón (2020, 18 min.) Elisa (Carolina Montealegre) finds herself in a challenging position: a new chapter of her life begins, but she must find her way through uncertainty. In a way she feels alone in Toronto, a city that although seemingly welcoming, she barely knows. But Elisa is also determined to take a daunting step, that of proving you can take care of something bigger than yourself. Winner of Best Film and Best Actor at FilmGate Miami 2021. Besides his work as story editor, this film also features a performance by José! Along with José’s (newly former) house. Currently available in the U.S. on HBO Max. https://www.salvaged-media.com
Mañana a esta hora (This Time Tomorrow)
Directed by Lina Rodríguez (2016, 85 min.) Bright and beautiful, 17-year-old Adelaida (Laura Osma) lives with her parents Lena (Maruia Shelton), an event planner, and Francisco (Francisco Zaldua), a sculptor and art teacher. Together, the trio enjoy a comfortable family life in an apartment in Bogotá, populated by the usual ups and downs. It’s just life as usual.Soon, the cracks begin to show through the veneer of this picture perfect family. Given that Francisco isn’t as involved in the domestic details at home, most of the housekeeping and parenting duties fall onto the already overworked Lena. While strong and driven, she struggles to fulfill the role of the working mother. At the peak of her teen angst and facing her own identity crisis, Adelaida is constantly at odds with her mother: one minute she is sweet, caring, studious; the next, wildly tempestuous and defiant, staying out late to spend time with friends and flirt with boys.Until tragedy strikes…Shaken, the family confronts their biggest struggle yet. Desperate to hold on to the ties that bind them together, they must face the uncertainty that tomorrow brings. Nominated for the Golden Leopard – Filmmakers of the Present Award at the Locarno Film Festival and the Best Latin American Film at the Mar del Plata Film Festival http://www.rayonvert.ca
The Stairs
Directed by Hugh Gibson (2016, 85 min.) The Stairs tells the story of Marty, Greg and Roxanne, who each survived decades of street involvement. Using their experiences to ease the paths of others, they perform social work in their old neighbourhood while struggling to maintain their newly found stability. Told over five years, The Stairs examines life on society’s margins. Defying stereotypes through intimate portraits, its remarkable subjects are surprising, funny, shocking and moving. Winner of the Toronto Film Critics Association’s Rogers Award for Best Canadian Film http://www.thestairsdoc.com/
Señoritas
Directed by Lina Rodríguez (2014, 87 min.) Alejandra is a free spirit who lives life as she wants. She lives with her mother in a small, comfortable apartment in Bogotá and spends most nights drinking or dancing with her close but complicated circle of friends, including her best friend Véronica and her some-time boyfriend Tomás.Alejandra expresses her playful independence and passion in these friendships, as well as in her sexual conquests with various men, without consequence. She embraces the routines and rituals in her life, as she makes her way through the world. Yet, Alejandra’s comfort is also where the complexity lies. Although the expectations her friends and her mother have of her define Alejandra’s life in many ways, the youthful intensity with which she connects to her surroundings gradually comes to a head. During a trip outside of the city with her friends, a seemingly innocuous game reveals that something has shifted in Alejandra, and that she remains on the brink of a greater spiritual and sexual consciousness about herself. In Alejandra, we see someone who is willing to walk in the dark alone.Señoritas is a subtle, contemplative and deeply intimate examination of the way one young woman navigates the daunting terrain of sex, desire and identity. http://www.rayonvert.ca