Puerto Rico and the American Dream

MEDIANOCHE HOSTS TALK WITH THE MAKERS

OF THE CONTROVERSIAL PUERTO RICAN FILM

LADRONES Y MENTIROSOS

(Spanish, English subtitles)

Wednesday, July 26, 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Reception with live music by Grupo Coco Rico, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Screening of film excerpts, discussion and Q&A, 7:30pm – 9pm

MediaNoche
161 East 106th Street, First Floor
(between Lexington and Third Avenues)

This Wednesday, July 26, at 6:30 PM, MediaNoche will host a reception for the filmmakers and leading actors of the award-winning Puerto Rican film Thieves and Liars (Ladrones y Mentirosos). Poli Marichal and Ricardo Méndez Matta, who co-wrote and co-directed the controversial film, will be present along with three of their stars: Cuban actor Steven Bauer (Scarface, Traffic), Dominican percussionist Isidro Bobadilla (Juan Luis Guerra y 440), and Puerto Rican newcomer Magda Rivera. Judith Escalona, Director of MediaNoche, will moderate a discussion with the filmmakers and cast that will include previewing scenes from the film and a Q&A.

Thieves and Liars tells the story of three families caught in a web of government corruption and drug trafficking. Much in the manner of Traffic, Marichal and Méndez Matta draw a connection between the two. According to Mendez Matta: “The fact that high level corruption and increased drug trade both surfaced at exactly the same time cannot be a coincidence.”

The film won a “Best Director” award at the Phoenix Film Festival and will screen twice during the New York International Latino Film Festival: Thursday, July 27, 8pm, at Imaginasian Theater; and Sunday, July 30, 6pm, at Florence Gould Hall.

For information about the film, visit www.ladronesymentirosos.com. For information about the festival (and to purchase tickets), visit www.nylatinofilm.com/home.html. Grupo Coco Rico is a Latin music band performing classic salsa, bolero and son-cubano.

Directions to MediaNoche: Take the IRT #6 train uptown to 103 Street. Walk three blocks up, turn right on East 106th Street. MediaNoche is between Lexington and 3rd Avenues.