Former Ecuadorian President León Febres-Cordero’s Life to Receive Biopic Treatment

Former Ecuadorian President ’s colorful life is headed to the big screen.

The late Ecuadorian politician, who served as president of Ecuador, will be the focus of a feature biopic by his grandson, producer James Leon of 8th Gear Entertainment.

León Febres-CorderoTed Field will produce the film alongside Leon, with writer-director Fernando Guzzoni signed on to pen the screenplay.

President Febres-Cordero’s daughter, Maria Liliana Febres – Cordero, will serve as Executive Producer.

The Spanish-language movie will be shot entirely in Ecuador, with principal photography slated to begin in spring 2024.

The film will reportedly follow a similar narrative to historical biopics like Joe Wright’s Darkest Hour and Tom Hooper’s The King’s Speech by telling the story of a political figure through the effect their decisions have on themselves and their family.

Liliana, one of Febres-Cordero’s daughters, will feature at the center of the story and voice the contents of her father’s diaries in the movie.

Acclaimed by some and criticized by others, Febres-Cordero was one of the most recognized Latin American political figures of the 80s.

He was President from 1984 to 1988, during which he was known to openly carry a pistol. During his time in office, Febres-Cordero took a hard stance against corruption and organized crime in Ecuador. He made international headlines in 1987 when he was kidnapped by Ecuadorean air force commandos during an official visit to an air base.

Confounding political norms, Febres-Cordero, a right-leaning figure and close friend of Ronald Reagan, was the first President of a non-communist or socialist country to visit Fidel Castro’s Cuba following the revolution.

“Our goal of this film is to inspire Latin people as many Latin countries are dealing with difficult times whether it be in relation to their politics, narcos politics, or corruption,” Leon said. “We intend for this story to inspire young generations to make the right choices for a better future.”

Guzzoni is a Chilean film filmmaker best known for his feature Blanquita, co-produced by Netflix, which premiered in the official competition of the Venice Film Festival. Guzzoni also wrote and directed Jesús, which played Toronto and was in the Official Competition at San Sebastián.

Ricky Martin Receives International Peace Honors Recognition from PeaceTech Lab 

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.

Ricky Martin

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 CurryEva LongoriaSting 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.

Corea & Herbie Hancock to Launch Duo Piano Concert Tour

Chick Corea is reuniting with a fellow jazz great for a once-in-a-lifetime event series…

The 73-year-old part-Spanish jazz and fusion musician, who recently earned two Grammy nominations, and Herbie Hancock will join forces for a world tour of duo piano concerts later this year.

Chick Correa

Corea and Hancock, who share much in common, last toured together 37 years ago when Jimmy Carter was in the White House and Sony had just introduced the Sony Walkman.

“Chick and I have always had an open door toward the possibility of touring again,” Hancock said in an email to Billboard.com. “We both felt that enough time has passed since our last major tour in 1978, and considering all of the experiences we have had in music and in life, that this was the perfect time to pass through that doorway again.”

Corea and Hancock both were members of Miles Davis’ bands of the 1960s, even playing together on keyboards on the trumpeter’s groundbreaking jazz-fusion albums, In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew.

“Herbie is a musical phenomenon and a rare human being,” Corea said in a statement. “To me he’s been a dear friend as well as a lifelong inspiration.”

The tour kicks off March 14 in Seattle, with the North American leg of the tour wrapping up in Carmel, Indiana on April 18. After a break, the duo will perform in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.

Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock’s 2015 tour dates:

March 14 — Paramount Theatre, Seattle
March 15 — Chan Shun Concert Hall, Vancouver
March 17 — Boettcher Concert Hall, Denver,
March 19 — Zellerbach Hall/ University of California, Berkeley
March 20 — Copley Symphony Hall San Diego
March 21– Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
March 22 — Granada Theater, Santa Barbara
April 9 — Carnegie Hall, New York
April 10 — Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington, DC
April 11– Academy of Music, Philadelphia
April 12 — Symphony Hall, Boston
April 14 –Massey Hall, Toronto
April 16 — Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor
April 17 — Symphony Center, Chicago
April 18 — The Palladium, Carmel
July 4 –- Olympia, Paris
July 5 — Palais Des Beaux Arts, Brussels
July 6 – Barbican, London
July 19 — Coll Jazz Festival, Lisbon, PT

Eva Longoria to Co-Chair Presidential Inaugural Committee

Eva Longoria served as a co-chairwoman of President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign and gave an inspired speech at the Democratic National Convention… And now she’s playing an active role in his inauguration.

The 37-year-old Mexican American actress will serve co-chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, along with former U.S. Ambassador to Sweden Matthew Barzun, the national finance chairman of Obama’s campaign.

Eva Longoria

Longoria and Barzun will be joined by Jane Stetson, the national finance chairwoman of the DNC, and Frank White, who served on the Obama administration’s National Advisory Council on Minority Business Enterprises.

Obama’s second inauguration will again include a “national day of service” and his inaugural committee includes honorary chairman roles for the four living ex-presidents, according to the committee. Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush will serve as honorary co-chairmen of the weekend.

Obama’s public inauguration events will take place on Monday, January 21, 2013, though he will be officially sworn in for his second term of office on January 20. The U.S. Constitution specifies a presidential term begins at noon on January 20th. The public events however will be held the next day because the 20th is a Sunday.

Obama’s campaign manager, Jim Messina, will head the inaugural parade, while campaign deputies will lead efforts such as the national day of service, inaugural balls.

On the Saturday before his inauguration, Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and members of each of their families will participate in a national day of service. They will encourage “Americans across the country to organize and participate in service projects in their communities,” the committee said.