When will there be a good Dominican movie?

[Indie]

The ONLY half-way decent movie I recommend watching that is smart and has Dominican actors in it is "Raising Victor Vargas." It is an indie film about the coming-of-age story of a Dominican lad and his dysfunctional family set in Brooklyn, New York. It is hilarious, real, human, and the actors basically play themselves in the movie. I think the director let them do what they wanted and it actually worked, 'cause they were honest. My mom knows the actor who plays the grandmother in the movie, Tatica/Altagracia, and she is exactly the way her character is portrayed in the movie. The casting director, Mr. Terrero, who happens to be a New York-raised Dominican, did a really good job casting these kids in my opinion. He got them all from Washington Heights.

If you get a chance, you should definitely watch this movie. It's out on VHS/DVD and Blockbuster has it. Also some public libraries in the US have it.
Let me know your opinions.

-Indie

[A.Hidalgo]

Indie

I agree with you "Raisin Victor Vargas" is a good movie, seen it twice, but I think the OP is referring to movies directed and produced in the DR. Raisin Victor Vargas was directed by an American Peter Sollett and producers were European.

[Indie]

Yes, you're right. So I'll have to reiterate: never, maybe cuando haya luz en la RD. So, there will never be a good Dominican movie made by Dominicans.

[something_of_the_night]

MamIndie, babe, and how 'bout American-made films with "Dominican" actors, like "Dominican" Jeffrey Wright in Shaft?

I remember John Singleton and Spike Lee used to complain about Hollywood not having enough blacks in leading roles. Then Singleton casts Wright as a Dominican.

Damn, I could've played that role a lot better, and with the accent to boot. You believe me, don't you, MamIndie?

-The Kid

[Funnyyale26]

Why never? I hate this negativism from foreigners and the negativism from Dominicans, who have inherited this ridiculous idea from our Spanish ancestors that somehow, we are not capable of doing anything and that we have to depend on others. We can do anything we propose, its just a matter of us putting our mind into it. If countries such as Singapore and New Zealand (who don’t have many resources) were able to prosper, then so can we. If we wanted to, we could build the largest cinematographic industry in all of the Caribbean, it's just a matter of politicians and investors coming together and believing in our potential.

He dicho!

[Rick Snyder]

Excuse me Heketi as I momentarily waver from the subject of your OP. In my deviation from the subject matter it must be understood that it still pertains to a certain extent.

I was very glad to hear the words "negativism from Dominicans' used in conjunction with the proverbial "negativism from foreigners". With all the 'negativism' being heard from all sectors and as it has gotten so much publicizing lately in the media it has the tendency to bring out another old adage that goes something like "If enough different people tell you the same thing there is the tremendous possibility that they are right". Human nature being what it is does make some people mad when truths are spoken which therefore requires some people to acquire a protective outer covering such as an armadillo.

All of this is compounded a thousand times as it relates to all subjects discussed here simply because of the noun nomenclature represented by the DR in DR1.

I find it strange for the use of the words, "If we wanted to" being used in conjunction with 'desarrollo' as it applies to all aspects of living. Reading such automatically brings up another old adage that says, "If the dog hadn't stopped to schit he would have caught the rabbit". As he did stop and as the rabbit did excape then he is forever destined to chase that sucker.

Now what were we talking about? ...... Movies? ......... Noun nomenclature! ..... I rest my case .........

[Funnyyale26]

Nevermind.

[Indie]

Originally Posted by something_of_the_night

MamIndie, babe, and how 'bout American-made films with "Dominican" actors, like "Dominican" Jeffrey Wright in Shaft?

I remember John Singleton and Spike Lee used to complain about Hollywood not having enough blacks in leading roles. Then Singleton casts Wright as a Dominican.

Damn, I could've played that role a lot better, and with the accent to boot. You believe me, don't you, MamIndie?

-The Kid

Yup, both you and I could've played ALL those roles a lot better, and we would've gotten that film an Oscar nomination at least. How's that for positive optimism? (As opposed to a double-negative?)

-Indie

[MerengueDutchie]

Well I did like Andrea, although not for its acting but rather for shedding some light on a part of DR culture we usually hear nothing about..

[Guatiao]

Since my last post I see a couple of people chimed in. Actually I was talking about movies centered around DR and Dominicans in DR, not movies like "Raising Victor Vargas". I just saw "Un macho de mujer", and it was good for about the 1st 30 minutes, once the "roles" were changed, the movie also changed and it was bad. The ending offered no resolution, left to many unanswered questions and possibilities.

I don't mean to be a harsh critic, but I've seen many films about and/or from Latin America and Spain that are great. Apocalypto (shot in Mexico and about a time period involving Mexico), Abre los ojos (inspired Vanilla Sky), Amores perros, and the list can go on.... are all goods films that do not have huge budgets (except Apocalypto), those films rely on talent and vision, Abre los ojos is a great example.