LD Entertainment & Variance Films to Release Rene Rosado-Starrer “National Anthem” In Theaters This Summer

Rene Rosado’s latest project is heading to a theater near you.

LD Entertainment will partner with Variance Films on the theatrical release of National Anthem, the queer ranching drama starring the 41-year-old Puerto Rican actor.

Rene RosadoThe feature directorial debut of Luke Gilford, which debuted at last year’s SXSW, also stars Charlie Plummer, Eve Lindley, Mason Alexander Park and Robyn Lively.

National Anthem will be released in the U.S. on July 12.

Immersed in the world of a rural queer ranching community, and set against the exuberant, real-life International Gay Rodeo AssociationNational Anthem is billed as a celebration of first love and chosen family. The protagonist of the film is Dylan (Plummer), a 21-year-old working in construction in New Mexico who joins a community of queer rodeo performers in search of their own version of the American dream.

Said Variance’s Dylan Marchetti and Kristen Osborne: “Variance’s mission is to help people find joy at the movie theater, and Luke’s incredible vision is a perfect fit. National Anthem is a celebration of so many things that TRULY make America great- love, our beautiful open spaces (shot in glorious 35mm, no less), and finding your family no matter where you may live- because no matter where you live, your family is out there waiting for you. We can’t wait for audiences to glam up and find theirs at theaters everywhere this summer!”

Added LD’s Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon: “We have been impressed with Variance’s commitment to providing a re-imagined look at independent film releases. It is within the theater that audiences come together as a community to have fun and take home a message that resonates. Luke’s film embodies this same spirit, one that is a ballad to young love and finding yourself. We are beyond thrilled to invite audiences, cowboys, and drag queens alike to the rodeo.”

Rene Rosado to Star in Sofia Yepes’ Indie Thriller “The Low End Theory”

Rene Rosado is theorizing

The Latino actor has joined the cast of the indie thriller The Low End Theory from Atomic Features Production.

Rene RosadoRosado is among a roster of cast additions that includes Eddie MartinezRicky Russert and actor/rapper Scotty Tovar.

They join previously announced lead Sofia Yepes who is also a co-writer and producer on the film.

The Low End Theory—based on a story by Yepes—centers around Raquel (Yepes), an aspiring beats producer in the low-budget hip-hop world moonlighting as a drug money launderer, who ends up stealing from her crime-lord boss to pay off debts owed by the woman with whom she is having an obsessive affair.

The project reunites Yepes with Francisco Ordoñez, who wrote the screenplay for The Low End Theory and will also serve as the films’ director in his debut.

Yepes’ first on-screen role was in Ordoñez’s short film St. Paul, winner of the Imagen Foundation award.

“I grew up almost never seeing people that looked like me in the films I loved, and it’s my hope that we can now start to inhabit the classic Hollywood genres with our unique perspectives and experiences,” said Yepes in a statement to Deadline.  “In the years since Francisco first cast me in St. Paul, we have built a close-knit community of Latinx storytellers that have supported each other’s artistic endeavors, and this film is an outcome of that.”

Added Ordoñez, “Sofia and I have dreamt of bringing this project to fruition for many years, so it’s gratifying to arrive in a film climate that is finally supporting diverse and representative stories like this one. We hope that this film, while deeply personal, can also be universal in its appeal, both within our communities and beyond them.”

Described as a fresh take on a film noir, the movie is one of the first to take this classic genre and set it within the Latinx and LGBTQ+ world, and its crew will be heavily represented by these communities.

“This film is an exciting opportunity for our company to continue its focus on stories and filmmakers from traditionally underrepresented communities. As producers who came up on the creative side ourselves, our mission is to support, protect and empower these filmmakers to achieve their vision, and bring their distinct and compelling voices to the marketplace,” said producer Daniel Ragussis of Atomic Features.

The film is set to shoot in Los Angeles this summer.

Rene Rosado Lands Recurring Role on ABC’s “The Conners”

Rene Rosado conner do it!

The Latino actor has landed a recurring role on ABC’s Roseanne spinoff The Conners.

Rene Rosado

In the spinoff, after the loss of the family matriarch, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before, grappling with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America.

Rosado will play Emilio, who is described as kind, sweet and cute. He’s a busser at Casita Bonita restaurant. Though he may have some trouble communicating in English, when he speaks his first language, Spanish, he is straightforward, earnest and determined.

Rosado most recently had a recurring role on TNT’s Major Crimes. His other credits include appearances on Code Black, Criminal Minds and Rizzoli & Isles.

Rivera to Star in the Gang Drama “Badsville”

Emilio Rivera is breaking Badsville

The 54-year-old Mexican American actor has joined the cast of Badsville, a drama set amongst rival gangs from director April Mullen.

Emilio Rivera

The story, set in the eponymous town of Badsville, follows the Badsville Kings gang as its members confront each other’s loyalty and rival gang The Aces, while at the same time discovering love, and trying to escape the town.

It’s the debut screenplay for cowriters Ian McLaren and Benjamin Barrett, who also costar in the film.

Along with Rivera, who is best known for his portrayal of Marcus Álvarez in Sons of Anarchy, the film also stars Robert Knepper, Tamara Duarte (Hard Rock Medical), Rene Rosado (Star Trek Into Darkness), Octavio Pizano (If Loving You is Wrong), Paul James Jordan (Piranha 3DD), Chelsea Rendon (McFarland USA), and Gregory Kasyan (Arms and the Dudes).

McLaren and Barrett will appear as “Wink” and “Benny” respectively.

Badsville is filming in locations throughout southern California.

Rivera’s credits include television appearances on NYPD Blue, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, JAG, ER and Walker, Texas Ranger.