Last year, I had the pleasure of seeing the film “Shine On” at the NYILFF. It gives me great pleasure to see that the film is getting a release on September 18, 2009. The name of the film has been changed to Falling Awake.

You can find out more about the film on http://fallingawakefilm.com/ and join the Facebook page as well.

My review of the film from last year has been reposted below. Catch the film when it opens and support Latino and Independent film!

Falling Awake (previously Shine On) – Director: Agustin – A formula movie that breaks the mold in so many ways. First, the lead character, Jay, is a musician who goes to Manhattan to play his music in the park. When he is not playing music, he is working overnight at a gas station or hanging out with his friends in the Bronx. The refreshing bit about him is that he does not sing salsa but folk-rock music. The movie shows that not all Latinos from the Bronx sing salsa, hip-hop or reggaeton. Another break in the stereotypes often portrayed in Bronx movies is that no one is using or dealing drugs. They party, they drink and they often get in trouble but they are just living. Even their living conditions are not dirt poor; the father works his ass off as a doorman to provide for his family. Which brings me to another point; there is a father in the picture.

Played by Nestor Serrano, the father is a proud man who may be too tough at times but you can tell he cares about his family and their well being while at the same time being aware that his sons need to learn responsibility. The underused Julie Carmen portrays the mother. The family dynamic rings true in the film.

The lead actor, Andrew Cisneros, brings great depth to a character that exists in two different worlds and navigates both being comfortable with himself. In the supporting cast, I must point out, Flaco Navaja as one of Jay’s best friends. He has so much presence on screen, that he deserves to get more roles in movies.

It would be a shame if this movie did not get proper distribution. It’s a movie that should be seen.
You can see a trailer here.