The Kid From Brooklyn
Cesar De Leon on life and his films. See the film trailer in the screening theater.
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BFC: What was the culture of your home growing up?
I grew up Bushwick, Brooklyn which was predominantly puerto ricans and dominicans. My parents were guatemalan and puerto rican. So basically I grew up eating rice and beans everyday with heartstoppers such as chuleta, pollo frito and tostenes.
BFC: What got you into acting?
I was frustrated because I never saw latinos on the big screen and sometimes when I did they were so horrible at acting that I told myself, I'm probably as bad as them so why not try it.
BFC: How did you make the jump from actor to filmmaker and why?
I made the decision to become a filmmaker one day when I was frustrated. I was asking myself after years of studying acting, "how come I'm not in a movie opposite Tom Hanks or Johnny Depp? So I decided to put myself in a short film as a lead actor. I mean I have confidence in my skills so why not test it.
BFC: Tell us about Junito.
Actually Junito came out of that short film. I wrote this film about my relationship with my dad and mom. My dad was an alcoholic and that was the part that I played cuz that part of my life will always stay with me. But I also wanted to showcase myself as an actor for casting people but then I started liking the directing part as well. So I did both!
BFC: What is the premise of your film Salud?
JUNITO went on to win Best Short at the Rome Film Festival in Italy and Best Actor at the NY Int'l Latino Film Festival, it played in over a dozen festivals and finally got cable distribution rights through SiTV. I've done television, commercials, films, print ads, I'm not bad looking and I've overcome alot of obstacles in my life. Things that the average Bushwickite isn't expected to achieve. I did eight years in the service, fought in the war, became a Sergeant and did rescue work during 911. Looking back at all those things that I accomplished in my life, believe it or not gave me all the confidence to shoot SALUD. Now I could write more about my real story, make it a movie and cast myself again. I can do anything cuz I've been doing it all my life!! I learned that the mind can make you do anything if you're really hungry. And thus my new film SALUD is the end product.
BFC: What are some of the changes you see happening in the industry, good or bad?
I see a change in hollywood repecting us a bit more now. I'm so glad that LA MISMA LUNA did so well in the first weekend, 3.3 million!!! It was the first latino film to do that. It gives us all hope with our films. But I also think that we need to continue hitting them on the head with great films like this and MALDEAMORES. Look at Tyler Perry, and what he's done for minorities. We need to do the same because we have a great audience as well.
BFC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
I see myself directing and acting in films and having my own production company. Therefore I see myself taking exotic vacations, living in a mansion, with a swimming pool, two cars, and all the finer things in life. Roaches coming out of my bootleg frosted flakes early in the morning, no mas!! BASTA!! lol!
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