Juno Films Acquires Distribution Rights to Raúl Castillo’s Experimental Drama “The Same Storm”

Posted on August 27, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Raúl Castillo will be storming into select theaters soon…

Juno Films has acquired the distribution rights to the experimental drama The Same Storm, starring the 44-year-old Latino actor.

From writer-director Peter Hedges, the project was filmed during the height of the COVID pandemic using cell phones and laptops.

The Same Storm invites viewers into the lives of 24 characters as they navigate the spring and summer of 2020. With lockdowns, the Black Lives Matter movement and the looming 2020 election as key backdrops, the film explores the importance of human connection, family and love during a time when all of that seemed out of reach.

The film also stars Sandra Oh, Mary-Louise Parker, Elaine May, Moses Ingram and Noma Duzemweni.

“Peter Hedges’ film The Same Storm captures a period that bound us together through uncertainty, anxiety and fatigue while keeping us physically apart from family, loved ones and friends,” said Juno Films CEO, Elizabeth Sheldon. “The performances from the all-star cast allow viewers to laugh at our collective experience, to cry for our losses, and to remember what it felt like during those dark days when despite the risk we came together for Black Lives Matter, comforted those who suffered loss, and relied on the kindness of strangers and the love of family.”

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Elizabeth Sheldon and Juno Films,” added Hedges. “The Same Storm was made with a whole lot of love during a fraught and challenging time. The ferocity and generosity of our extraordinary cast and crew fill every on-screen moment. I couldn’t be more proud of and grateful for everyone who helped make this possible.”

It made its world premiere at the 2021 Telluride Film Festival.

The film is presented by Evenstar Films in association with Straight Up Technologies and Home Plate Pictures.

Juno Films will distribute the film in the U.S., Canada and the UK.

The Same Storm will open at the Quad Cinema in NYC and the Laemmle Santa Monica on October 14.

Lilia Luciano Named LA-Based CBS News Correspondent

Posted on May 30, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Lilia Luciano is ready for full-time work…

The 36-year-old Puerto Rican investigative reporter and documentary filmmaker has been named a correspondent for CBS News based in Los Angeles.

Luciano joined the network in March, 2020 as a freelance correspondent, and has covered major stories on the West Coast including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests in Portland, immigration issues at the border and wildfires in Oregon and California.

Luciano previously was an investigative reporter at the ABC affiliate in Sacramento from 2016 to 2019. She also was the chief investigative correspondent for Discovery Channel’s Border Live, and worked as a host and contributor on various platforms for Vice. She also was a correspondent for NBC News, reporting across the network platforms in English and Spanish.

She directed and produced Wars of Others, an HBO Latino documentary about the War on Drugs and the consequences for Colombian farmers. She won a Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 2018 for a series on Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for her coverage of the California wildfires.

She was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and is fluent in Spanish, English and Portuguese. She graduated from the University of Miami with degrees in economics and broadcast journalism.

Ricky Martin Receives International Peace Honors Recognition from PeaceTech Lab

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Tom Castaneda

Ricky Martin is celebrating a special honor…

PeaceTech Lab presented the International Peace Honors during a virtual celebration on Sunday night to unite and honor leaders and change agents working toward a more just and equitable future, including the 49-year-old Puerto Rican superstar.

Martin was saluted for his advocacy for human rights, tolerance and peace at the event, which was hosted by Natalia Jiménez.

“In addition to his artistic contributions, Ricky Martin has made notable strides in the social impact space,” said Sheldon Himelfarb, the president and CEO of PeaceTech Lab, in a press release. “He leverages his social networks to advocate for minority rights and promote civic engagement; through his foundation, he works to end human trafficking, especially of children; and in 2020, he galvanized support for frontline workers across the world. His contributions are invaluable, and it is a privilege for us to be able to recognize him during our International Peace Honors.”

Martin is well known for his activism. He’s the founder and president of the Ricky Martin Foundation, which rallies against human trafficking, protects children and vulnerable communities, and defends the human rights of millions.

But Martin wasn’t the only Latino nominee for the first-event International Peace Honors…

Ricardo Montaner was honored for his humanitarian efforts.

Other nominees included Dr. Anthony Fauci, Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi, Amazonian Chief Raoni and the “father of the internet” Vint Cerf.

Stephen Curry, Eva Longoria, Sting and José Andrés were presenters, while former U.S. President Jimmy Carter delivered a special message.

Sting also delivered an intimate version of “Fragile,” while Alejandro Sanz performed “La Quiero a Morir,” Camilo and his wife Evaluna Montaner (whose father is one of the evening’s honorees) sang “Amen,” and Laura Pausini performed “Io Si,” the main theme of Netflix‘s The Life Ahead.

America Ferrera to Appear on Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Patrisse Cullors’ Election Night YouTube Event

Posted on November 3, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

America Ferrera will be spending part of her Election Night on YouTube…

The 36-year-old Honduran American actress will make an appearance on Black Lives Matter co-founder and executive director Patrisse Cullors first live streaming event on YouTube for election night.

Patrisse Cullors + BLMPAC Present: Live From Election Night will stream on Cullors’s YouTube channel starting at 6:00 pm PT / 9:00 pm ET.

Cullors will host the 90-minute event produced by Trap Heals and BLM alongside Richie Reseda CEO of Question Culture. Activists from across the country including Black Lives Matter Los Angeles’s Melina Abdullah and Vice President & Chief Partnership and Equity Officer at MomsRising.org Monifa Bandele will share reflections on this historic election.

In addition to Ferrera, the event will also include appearances from Tracee Ellis Ross, Tessa Thompson, Ramy Youssef, Chelsea Handler, Diane Guerrero, Yara Shahidi, Black Men Build organizer Philip Agnew, California state senator Holly Mitchell and more.

The event will also feature a DJ set from Channel Tres and a meditation sound bowl set with Pulse LA.

The Lincoln Project Releases Emotional Music Video to Demi Lovato’s “Commander in Chief”

Posted on October 18, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

The Lincoln Project is taking Demi Lovato’s politically charged new single “Commander in Chief” and building on it’s emotional message.

The anti-Trump political action committee has shared their own music video for the song. It shows clips of the devastating effects of the president’s mismanagement of the coronavirus, of people on ventilators in hospitals and families with masks only able to talk to each other through glass doors. The scene then turns to the Black Lives Matter movement, as thousands of protesters took to the streets across the nation to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and more who have been killed at the hands of police.

The vignette ends on an uplifting note, with people of all races, ages and genders coming together to vote in the presidential election.

“Demi Lovato put it best,” the description reads, and links out to a donation page for The Lincoln Project, which will go to voter outreach programs in an effort to “end the suffering, end the corruption, and end the presidency of the worst ‘Commander in Chief’ in our country’s history.”

Bad Bunny Speaks Out on Racism, Poverty & More in Surprise New Single “Compositor del Año”

Posted on August 31, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Bad Bunny is back… And, he’s using his music to send a message to the haters.

The 26-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer, who was named Songwriter of the Year at this year’s ASCAP Latin Music Awards, has released the surprise single “Compositor del Año.”

The single addressed the social media chatter from people who questioned his win due to his sometimes explicit lyrics.

Via the track, Bad Bunny sends a message to his haters, saying there are more important issues going on in the world.

“They fight because they gave me composer of the year but not for what matters,” he belts in the song.

In the song, which has a Soundcloud link that ends in “f–k2020”), Bad Bunny opens up about the ongoing social issues affecting the United States, including racism, immigration, the importance of voting and more.

Sampling Little Richard’s 1955 classic “Tutti Frutti,” Bad Bunny’s 2-minute, 34-second song is a rap freestyle in which he first and foremost reminds fans that he went from an altar boy to a trap star. He then mentions the Black Lives Matter movement, saying, “It’s 2020 and racism is worse than COVID/ A black man with a gun, that’s a criminal, but if he’s white, they say that’s a hobby.”

“There are more important things than sitting down to criticize the achievements of an artist,” he continues, like encouraging the youth to vote.

“There are more important things like fighting for the rights of immigrants.”

At the end of the track, the “Yo Perreo Sola” singer expresses his dream to change the world and end poverty.

“But I can’t; it’s not my fault,” he says. “Before being born, all of this already existed. We only have to teach and learn, live and grow. Understand that we will always see something that will hurt us. To have faith, to believe that it is going to be possible.”

The song can be found on Amazon under the name Bad Bunsy.

Martin Sheen & His “The West Wing” Cast Mates to Reunite for ‘When We All Vote’ Special on HBO Max

Posted on August 26, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Martin Sheen is returning to the West Wing…

Aaron Sorkin is reuniting his The West Wing cast, including the 80-year-old half-Spanish American actor, for the first time in 17 years with a special for HBO Max.

Sheen, Rob Lowe, Dulé Hill, Allison Janney, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff and Bradley Whitford are getting back together with Sorkin and Thomas Schlamme for A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote.

The special will feature a theatrical performance of Hartsfield’s Landing, an episode from the NBC drama’s third season that featured Sheen’s President Barlet playing chess against Sam (Lowe) and Toby (Schiff), while the Chinese are playing war games in the Taiwan Strait and Josh (Whitford) is nervous about the 42 votes in a remote New Hampshire town’s election, which always predict the winner of that state’s primary.

It marks the second high-profile special of a classic NBC series produced by Warner Bros. set to air on HBO Max following the much-delayed Friends reunion special.

The West Wing reunion has long been in the works with Schiff saying in June that the gang was getting back together in support of Black Lives Matter following the death of George Floyd. The crew have reunited in various forms, including at ATX in Austin, for The West Wing Weekly podcast, and for an ad for Bridget Mary McCormack, a candidate for Michigan’s Supreme Court. However, this is the first time that it will air on television.

The team behind the Warner Bros. Television-produced series have organized the reunion to raise awareness for and support When We All Vote, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization co-chaired by Michelle Obama, which was founded to increase participation in every election in America.

WarnerMedia will make a donation to When We All Vote.

Michelle Obama will make a guest appearance in the special, while additional cast members and special guests from the worlds of public service and the arts will be announced in the coming weeks.

A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote will shoot over multiple days at the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles in early October. Sorkin will write original exclusive material for the special, while Schlamme will serve as director of the production.

“Tommy and I are incredibly excited to be getting The West Wing cast back together for this staged reading and to support When We All Vote in their efforts to get all of us involved in this election,” said Sorkin.

“With A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote, we are excited to revisit this legendary series and offer our passionate fans something that is substantial, meaningful and unforgettable, while also promoting an important message for our time,” added Sarah Aubrey, head of original content, HBO Max. “Combined with WarnerMedia’s donation to When We All Vote, this special not only entertains, but also help ensure the organization can carry forth its mission to increase voter participation in every election.”

Sheen appeared on 140 episodes of The West Wing from 1999-2006. The won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of fictitious U.S. President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet.

Anthony Ramos Releases Powerful New Single “Stop”

Posted on August 15, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

There’s no Stop-ping Anthony Ramos’ trajectory…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actor, currently appearing in the film version of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Hamilton, has released the new single “Stop,” as well as the official music video for the powerful track.

Featuring church bells, handclaps, shimmering keys and Ramos’ impressive vocal runs, the song serves as a reminder to “carpe diem”

“Stop came from my inability to do just that. It’s a song about stopping, breathing, being present in whatever moment you’re in and finding the beauty in it,” says Ramos.

Directed by Blythe Thomas, the music video seamlessly reflects the spirit of the song.

It follows Brooklyn artist and stylist Anthony Payne. After losing his job at a hair salon in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, he grabbed his scissors and comb and decided to bring a little light into the world following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

The video finds Payne cutting hair outdoors in Brooklyn while supporting the Black Lives Matter movement by donating the proceeds.

The video also shows Ramos canvasing the streets, linking up with Payne, and delivering a subtle and well-placed message, “Vote.”

Ramos, a multi-talented force, recently joined forces with Storybooth to produce an animated tribute to Black Lives Matter. The collaboration showcases 12-year-old Keedron Bryant’s unofficial Black Lives Matter anthem “I Just Wanna Live.”

Ramos first made his mark originating the dual roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the Hamilton musical. He’s also appeared opposite Lady Gaga in A Star Is Born, and Spike Lee’s acclaimed Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It.

Signed to Republic Records, Ramos released his debut album last fall. The album, The Good & The Bad, debuted in the Top 10 on iTunes Pop Albums chart.

He’s currently featured as the voice of King Trollex in the recently released film Trolls World Tour. And he’ll next star as the lead role in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s highly anticipated film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In The Heights.

Gloria “Goyo” Martínez Helps Launch the Latin Music Industry’s BLM-Inspired ‘Conciencia Collective’

Posted on June 27, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Gloria“Goyo“Martínez is standing in solidarity with the Black community…

The 37-year-old Colombian singer and member of the Latin Grammy-winning hip-hop group ChocQuibTown has joined the Conciencia Collective.

The recently-announced initiative, comprised of more than 35 executives from the Latin music industry — including artists, activists, artist managers, publicists, among others – aims to stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Mattermovement in an effort to create awareness about racial and social injustice.

Conciencia Collective was born amid national outrage in the U.S. over the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylorand other black citizens who’ve died at the hands of police. The intention is to “educate our colleagues, artists and peers of influence in order to gain their advocacy. Our ongoing initiatives also focus on the many issues affecting our Latin community,” according to a press release.

Goyo, a leading, Afro-Latinx voice launched the initiative with a poignant statement.

“I’m talking to you as a Black woman, rapper, singer, born in South America. In an invisible region, a jewel in my country; a Black village,” writes Goyo. “The experiences that we Black women live change you from the moment you leave your home. Society reminds you that at home, you live in a protected space. At home, we are educated with tools to go out into a racist world. As Howard C. Stevensonsaid, ‘we [as Black people] are educated with a kind of a racial literacy.'”

Goyo kicked off a “Conciencia Talk” alongside Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Rafa Pabónin partnership with Latinx-focused media/news company MiTú on Friday, June 26.

The “online dialogue” was moderated by Afro-Colombian Dr. Aurora Vergara Figueroa, director of the Afrodiasporic Studies Centerat ICESI University.

Quotes on solidarity and racial inequality from more than 100 Latin artists, including Leslie Grace, Anuel AA, Jesse & Joy, Myke Towers, Carla Morrison, Zion & Lennox, and Farruko, among others, will be posted weekly on MiTú’s page.

“In order to consciously educate the Latinx community and change the derogatory narratives towards people of color within our community, we commit to leading with acknowledgement in solidarity with the Black community to enable the rise of leaders in our respective communities,” the statement continues.

“We want to extend our platforms to our brothers and sisters so that their voices and needs can be heard. We want our brothers and sisters across the U.S. and Latin America to know that we see them, we hear them and we will champion equality and justice on behalf of our industry.”

Miguel to Perform During ‘Black Power Live’ Digital Benefit

Posted on June 26, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Miguel is bringing the Power…

The 34-year-old half-Mexican American R&B singer and Grammy winner will perform during Black Power Live, a digital benefit taking place on Saturday, June 27th, on Twitch.

The event will be hosted by Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors and feature a mix of musical performances and conversations with black artists and organizers, including the half-black “Adore You” singer, Doja Cat and Blood Orange’s Dev Hynes.

Black Power Live is meant to be “a celebration of the incredible work done by organizers and activists around the world and will be a chance to reflect, regroup and talk about next steps.”

The musical lineup for Black Power Live will feature jazz star Terrace Martin debuting a new piece, “Racism on Trial,” featuring Kamasi Washington, Denzel Curry, Robert Glasper, Alex Isley and others.

Additional performers include Ne-Yo, Aloe Blacc, HO99O9 with Travis Barker, Vagabon, Jessie Reyez, Serpentwithfeet and Twin Shadow.

Along with the music, Black Power Live will feature interviews and discussions with a mix of artists and activists including Parkland survivor Emma González, Dear White People creator Justin Simien and author and filmmaker Dream Hampton.

The event will begin at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET and end at 12:00 am PT/3:00 am ET.

Money raised will benefit the Crenshaw Dairy Mart, Trap Heals, Transgender Law Center, Sankofa and Black Men Build.

A complete lineup, and registration for the event, is available here.

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