CULTURAL EXCHANGE

L.A.-based Manson International showed Russian buyers 30 films. “They turned down 29 of them--and chose ‘Latino,’ ” said Manson pres Michael Goldman. It’s Manson’s first sale to the Russkies.

Set in Nicaragua and Honduras, the Haskell Wexler drama raises vexing questions about our involvement in Central America. But Wexler thinks it will give Russians the flip side of “Rambo”: “I read the stories about how the Russians hated ‘Rambo’ for its strong militaristic views. I’m not an expert on the Russian psyche--but I think ‘Latino’ might tell them another story. It might say to them that there are people in America who believe in peace-like solutions to world problems.

“My point is to say we have to live in peace--that going out and getting involved in military things cannot lead to any good purpose.”

Noted Goldman: “Maybe I’ll sound old-fashioned, but I think it will show the Russians that in this country, you can make movies with dissenting views. That’s what our culture is all about.”