NEW YORK, NY – September 25, 2013 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) – ProyectoNEXT, a new showcase for emerging Latino and Urban talent sponsored by HBO, will debut next month with the New York premiere of director Henry Barrial’s “THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.” The one-night, invitation-only feature presentation will take place October 2 in Manhattan at the AMC Empire 25.
“We have a long-standing commitment to creating opportunities for emerging talent and raising the profile of Latino films, filmmakers and the Latino experience”
Hailed by The Hollywood Reporter as a “convincing portrait of a neighborhood and its Nuyorican culture,” and “a majestic journey of crime, family drama, and redemption” by The Awards Circuit, “THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT” stars Bronx native E.J. Bonilla and features an all-Latino cast of Caribbean descent from New York, including Melissa Fumero, Leo Minaya, Flor De Liz Perez, Saundra Santiago, John Herrera, and Rosal Colon.
“HBO is extremely excited to partner in the launch of ProyectoNEXT and its inaugural event,” said Dennis Williams, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility. “We have a long-standing commitment to creating opportunities for emerging talent and raising the profile of Latino films, filmmakers and the Latino experience. We look forward to making ProyectoNEXT a success and celebrating the accomplishments of Latino artists through this new forum.”
Twenty years in the making, “THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT” was written by Joseph B. Vasquez whose 1991 film “HANGIN’ WITH THE HOMEBOYS” was a rare Latino-themed hit in the early days of the American Indie movement. Vazquez’ talent and potential were sadly cut short in 1995 when he died of AIDS after an extended struggle with severe Bi-polar disorder.
With the blessings of Joe’s mother, producers Michael Lieber (“JOE GOULD’S SECRET,” “FLASH OF GENIUS”) and Sam Kitt (“THE BEST MAN,” “LOVE AND BASKEBALL”), kept alive Vasquez’ idea of turning the script into a film. Director Henry Barrial was recruited off of his well-received Sundance entry “SOME BODY,” and after demonstrating what could be accomplished on an ultra-low budget with his newest film “PIG.” With the collaboration of producing partner Hitesh Patel, the project was finally pulled together as a digital production shot in the Bronx in the summer of 2012.
Brought to life in a breakout performance by up-and-coming actor E.J Bonilla (“FOUR,” “DON’T LET ME DROWN”) who plays the lead role, “THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT” follows the young drug dealer as he buys a Bronx building, moving in his extended family with the hope of recreating his idealistic vision of good times gone by. When his relatives fail to meet his utopian expectations, Jack tries to force them to conform. Instead, he learns a sad lesson about the strength and limitations of family bonds.
ProjectoNEXT is an artist development and mentorship platform aimed at improving diversity while showcasing and grooming the next wave of Latino and Urban film talent. In conjunction with industry partners, ProyectoNEXT will host a series of high-profile events throughout the country, as well as steward emerging artists through all aspects of new project development, production and distribution.
Along with founding sponsor HBO, ProjectoNEXT’s inaugural event is being made possible through supporting sponsors AMC Independent, La Tipica Mamajuana and New York City’s Yotel.
“THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT” made its world premiere in June 2013 to rave reviews and sold out crowds as an official selection of the 2013 Los Angeles Film Festival.
For more information, please visit http://www.thehousethatjackbuiltmovie.com and http://www.proyectonext.com.
About ProyectoNEXT
ProjectoNEXT, a new definition of breakthrough, is an artist development and mentorship platform aimed at improving diversity while showcasing and grooming the next wave of Latino and Urban film talent. In conjunction with industry partners, ProyectoNEXT will facilitate a dialogue with filmmakers and industry leaders, shepherding talent in acquisition discussions, as well as providing mentorship and professional counsel on new project development.
About HBO
Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc. and the world’s most successful pay TV service, providing the two television services – HBO(R) and Cinemax(R) – to approximately 114 million subscribers worldwide. The services offer the most popular subscription video-on-demand products, HBO On Demand(R) and Cinemax On Demand(R) as well as HBO GO(R) and MAX GO(R), HD feeds and multiplex channels. Internationally, HBO branded television networks, along with the subscription video-on-demand products HBO On Demand and HBO GO, bring HBO services to over 70 countries. HBO programming is sold into over 150 countries worldwide.