Latino-Themed Film, TV Projects in the Works

Besides “Stand and Deliver,” “The Milagro Beanfield War,” CBS’ drama “Gangs” and the CBS comedy pilot “Fort Figueroa,” at least 11 other English-language, Latino-themed film and TV projects are slated for screening this year, in production or being developed. The list:

“Salsa.” Choreographed by Kenny Ortega of “Dirty Dancing,” the movie features a dance-floor romance set to the Afro-Cuban rhythms of Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Willi Colon and others. Stars Bobby Rosa, formerly of Menudo, Rodney Harvey and Magali Garcia. The Cannon Group film is scheduled for a May 6 release.

“Moon Over Parador.” A sort of “Down and Out in Central America.” Richard Dreyfuss plays an actor-turned-dictator caught up in a country on the verge of revolution. Raul Julia and Sonia Braga co-star in the Universal production slated for the summer.

“The Penitent.” A love triangle set in a small New Mexico village during the 40 days of Lent. Dominating life in the village are the penitentes, a society of Spanish-Americans who annually re-enact the final passion of Christ. Stars Raul Julia, Rona Reed, Armand Asante and Julie Carmen. A New Century/Vista Film Co. production slated for midsummer.

“Break of Dawn.” An independent film about a former Mexican revolutionary and Spanish-language radio pioneer, Pedro J. Gonzalez. Mexican folk singer Carlos Chavez plays Gonzalez. Tentatively scheduled for a late summer release.

“The Old Gringo.” The Jane Fonda production is based on Mexican novelist Carlos Fuentes’ fictional account of Hearst muckraker and satirist Ambrose Bierce and his search for death in the Mexican Revolution of 1910. Fonda plays an American schoolteacher caught between Gregory Peck, who plays Bierce, and a Mexican rebel general, played by Jimmy Smits. Scheduled for release by Columbia Pictures in December.

“The Tunnel.” Peter Weller plays a troubled artist who falls in love with Jane Seymour. Spain’s Fernando Rey is her blind husband who seems to accept her sexual liaisons. The independently produced tale of obsession based on the novel by Argentina’s Ernesto Sabato is looking for a distributor.

Productions in development:

“Lines and Shadows.” A made-for-cable TV movie based on Joseph Wambaugh’s book about a special police task force called on to stop victimization of Mexican immigrants crossing the U.S. border. No production date has been scheduled by HBO Pictures, though it says it expects to cast a significant number of Latinos for leading and supporting roles.

“Romero.” A biographical film produced by Paulist Productions is based on the late Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero, who was assassinated by death squads in 1980.

“Sanctuary.” A script in early development with Warner Bros., the proposed film would revolve around the struggle of American church people who provide sanctuary to refugees fleeing death squads and war in Central America.

“The Miracle.” Robert Young, director of “Alambrista” and “Ballad of Gregorio Cortez,” is developing a film version of Felipe Santander’s play about a revolutionary who becomes fascinated with the priesthood after finding sanctuary in a church. Edward James Olmos will play the revolutionary. The feature project is being developed by Olmos and Irwin Young, president of DuArt Laboratory.

“The Devil’s Bishop.” Almost no details are available on this project except that Gillo Pontecorvo, director of “Burn,” is involved in developing a movie treatment about the assassination of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero.