Latin Life Denver Media, May 3, 2024

“I hate feeling poor more than being poor,” that is the impetus behind the film ‘THIS BOYS VIDA (Made In America) showing this Saturday only at 8:15 at Denver’s Sie Theater as part of SeriesFest. THIS BOYS VIDA, is being adapted as a series, and won “Best Trailer” at HollyWeb Festival.

Based on true events, with the help of his imaginary future self, an American Latino boy who dreams of being an actor turns “Robinhood” to feed his starving sisters, until the system catches up with him and forces him to choose between his family or dreams.

Talking about the film, Creator, Joseph Castillo-Midyett said “What are you?”, I still get asked this question all the time, almost every day and my response is always the same, “I’m American, what about you?”

I was the first generation born in this country. I was homeless 3 times before I was 16. By the time I finished high school I had attended over 15 schools and read my first word in the third grade (racism). I was first shot at, at the age of 13. I started working at the age of 10 to help put food on the table. I’ve been called a wet back and a white boy, and have been told to go back where I came from, but to stand proud because I am American. I AM NOT ALONE…this is the story of SO many Americans TODAY. Why do you think my director and producers were so drawn to This Boy’s Vida, the story I wrote based on my own life story? Cause it sounded like their story.

Movies and TV shows today, are looking across the border or overseas to hear crazy stories that deal with extreme hunger, dream chasing, violence in the streets, “making it”, extravagant love stories, etc. But these stories are happening RIGHT HERE, right in front of everyone’s face, right in the USA.

Listen, movies and TV shows got me through so many messed-up and dark times. I turned to them to drown out what was happening to me, and wanted to live in a world that I WISHED and LONGED for. But more importantly, they taught me in my formative years, who I could be and what life could be. ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ taught me how to be a strong and kind man, ‘Goonies’ taught me about ride-or-die friendship, and ‘Family Matters’ taught me how a family could work through things in a healthy way…but, when I saw Barry Jenkins’ MOONLIGHT, that was the FIRST TIME I saw a life that looked a lot like mine. A lot like my friends, a lot like my whole block, my city, my part of the state, parts of this beautiful country. So I created, wrote, and acted in this project because no one has done anything about the Latino-American story.

This is an AMERICAN story–I didn’t grow up in a petri dish with ONLY other Latino-Americans. That’s what’s so weird about what’s happening in T.V. and Movies. Poverty is an equal Un-opportunity employer. Yes, the main protagonists are Latino-American because I am Latino-American, but the woman who gave me my first real job was white. I learned about self-respect from a black woman that was my neighbor, and my friends were Afghani- American, Filipino- American, Mexican- Americans, White, and Black. So, this is an AMERICAN STORY.

Director, Adrienne Acevedo Lovette, an award-winning New York-based director, actor, writer, and producer said “THIS BOY’S VIDA holds a personal significance for me as the director, having grown up in a low-income household myself. This story of a young Latino boy navigating poverty while caring for his sisters, based on Joseph Castillo-Midyett’s own personal life as a child, resonates deeply with my experiences.

Through THIS BOY’S VIDA, we aim to shed light on the strength and resilience within the Latin American community. Drawing from our personal upbringing and the stories of others, we strive to challenge perceptions, break stereotypes, and foster understanding of the complex factors contributing to poverty.

We infused the storytelling with authenticity and emotional truth, creating a visually captivating and emotionally resonant narrative. We want to inspire and empower viewers who have faced similar challenges, offering a renewed sense of hope and self-belief, letting them know that there’s circumstance does not have to dictate their future.

THIS BOY’S VIDA is a project that amplifies the voices and stories of those who have navigated poverty in the Latin American community. Together, we will illuminate the indomitable spirit that emerges from difficult circumstances.

Adrienne Acevedo Lovette, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and grew up in Orlando, Florida, and Springfield, Massachusetts. She is the founder of The Garage Productions, which has created several award-winning films and web series, all of which showcase diversity, the LGBTQIA+ community, and differently-abled people. Adrienne is a self-made filmmaker driven by stories that reveal the inner workings of the human condition. Even though she’s a fan of all genres, her personal favorite genres to work on are suspense, thriller, horror, action and drama (though she’s no stranger to comedy.)

Most recently, Adrienne produced and assisted directed a coming-of-age drama called BROWNSVILLE BRED, which premiered at SXSW and won the “AUDIENCE AWARD” for best episodic pilot. Adrienne was also a winner for the SUNDANCE collab film challenge, for her film LITTLE BEAN, and has been named “Women Directing Mentorship Semifinalist” through Series Fest sponsored by Shonda Rhimes company

Creator: Joseph Castillo-Midyett

Director: Adrienne Acevedo Lovette

Producer: Gisela Chípe, Heidi-Marie Ferren, Adrienne Acevedo Lovette

Executive Producer: Joseph Castillo-Midyett, Brett E. Lewis, Margaret A. Romolo-Zukor, Alan Simon, Ramón y Mercedes Chípe, Josie Rivera

Writer: Joseph Castillo-Midyett

Editor: Adrienne Acevedo Lovette, Joseph Castillo-Midyett

Cinematographer: Dustin Ward

Cast: Sebastian Montanez, Joseph Castillo-Midyett, Nathalie Sepulveda, Gisela Chípe, Sofie Nesanelis, Catherine Curtin, Heidi-Marie Ferren

Composer: Andrew Freeman

For more info visit: filmfreeway.com/thisboysvida

Sie Theater is located at: 2510 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206