http://www.bfcafe.com An independent Latino arts and entertainment provider through a cafe experience Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:12:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 © pablo2pap@gmail.com () pablo2pap@gmail.com() A multicultural exchange featuring videos, movie reviews, artist interviews and performances pablo2pap@gmail.com No no http://www.bfcafe.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://www.bfcafe.com 144 144 http://www.bfcafe.com/feliz-naividad-dreaming-for-2011-chief-doodler-michael-lopez/844?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feliz-naividad-dreaming-for-2011-chief-doodler-michael-lopez http://www.bfcafe.com/feliz-naividad-dreaming-for-2011-chief-doodler-michael-lopez/844#comments Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:04:00 +0000 pablo http://www.bfcafe.com/?p=844 Yes, it’s Christmas Eve 2010. Yes, I am a nerd, addicted to Google but check this out; I noticed the home page icon changed yesterday. I wanted some details and I discovered something pretty darn cool… Google doodlers are a small team of artists who create the decorative logos for the company’s home-page. They have Continue reading →

]]> Yes, it’s Christmas Eve 2010. Yes, I am a nerd, addicted to Google but check this out; I noticed the home page icon changed yesterday. I wanted some details and I discovered something pretty darn cool… Google doodlers are a small team of artists who create the decorative logos for the company’s home-page. They have Continue reading →

]]> http://www.bfcafe.com/feliz-naividad-dreaming-for-2011-chief-doodler-michael-lopez/844/feed 1 http://www.bfcafe.com/new-flash-animation-at-the-bfcafe-just-a-little-braggin/776?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-flash-animation-at-the-bfcafe-just-a-little-braggin http://www.bfcafe.com/new-flash-animation-at-the-bfcafe-just-a-little-braggin/776#comments Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:07:41 +0000 pablo http://www.bfcafe.com/?p=776 Today I uploaded 2 videos created by my friend and BFC partner Pablo Papas (aka Paul Martinez). They are sequels to the popular SCARY MOVIE/DIABLO video we have up. Pablo and I have been friends for over 10 years. While reflecting on how we started this blog, it suddenly occurred to me that while I Continue reading →

]]> Today I uploaded 2 videos created by my friend and BFC partner Pablo Papas (aka Paul Martinez). They are sequels to the popular SCARY MOVIE/DIABLO video we have up. Pablo and I have been friends for over 10 years. While reflecting on how we started this blog, it suddenly occurred to me that while I Continue reading →

]]> http://www.bfcafe.com/new-flash-animation-at-the-bfcafe-just-a-little-braggin/776/feed 0 http://www.bfcafe.com/i-curated-a-film-fest-and-survived/552?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=i-curated-a-film-fest-and-survived http://www.bfcafe.com/i-curated-a-film-fest-and-survived/552#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:16:09 +0000 pablo http://www.bfcafe.com/?p=552 by Angel Aviles-McClinton As most of you know, I was the Program Director for the 2009 Other Venice Film Festival. When Ruby De La Casas asked me to take over this position, I gladly acquiesced. After all, festival programmer is a film lovers dream. Right? I must admit, I had NO idea what I was Continue reading →

]]> by Angel Aviles-McClinton As most of you know, I was the Program Director for the 2009 Other Venice Film Festival. When Ruby De La Casas asked me to take over this position, I gladly acquiesced. After all, festival programmer is a film lovers dream. Right? I must admit, I had NO idea what I was Continue reading →

]]> http://www.bfcafe.com/i-curated-a-film-fest-and-survived/552/feed 1 http://www.bfcafe.com/smooth-latin-world-music-with-an-exotic-twist/396?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=smooth-latin-world-music-with-an-exotic-twist http://www.bfcafe.com/smooth-latin-world-music-with-an-exotic-twist/396#comments Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:02:51 +0000 pablo http://www.bfcafe.com/?p=396 Exceptional guitarist, Russ Hewitt’s new release Bajo el Sol (Under the Sun) is a mix of colorful, vibrant and exotic Latin/flamenco-style smooth jazz. Russ began his career as a hard rocker in the hot Dallas music scene but after traveling and absorbing world styles, Russ has created his own sound that he describes as “Latin Continue reading →

]]> Exceptional guitarist, Russ Hewitt’s new release Bajo el Sol (Under the Sun) is a mix of colorful, vibrant and exotic Latin/flamenco-style smooth jazz. Russ began his career as a hard rocker in the hot Dallas music scene but after traveling and absorbing world styles, Russ has created his own sound that he describes as “Latin Continue reading →

]]> http://www.bfcafe.com/smooth-latin-world-music-with-an-exotic-twist/396/feed 0 http://www.bfcafe.com/creating-art-where-its-needed/378?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=creating-art-where-its-needed http://www.bfcafe.com/creating-art-where-its-needed/378#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 20:47:55 +0000 pablo http://www.bfcafe.com/?p=378 To say that we noticed Kiki on the Internet would be a big understatement, it was more like Kiki knocked us off our feet with his enthusiasm, energy and expressive paintings. The Internet is a vast space of activity, but somehow Kiki seems to rise above all the hustle and bustle and takes command of Continue reading →

]]> To say that we noticed Kiki on the Internet would be a big understatement, it was more like Kiki knocked us off our feet with his enthusiasm, energy and expressive paintings. The Internet is a vast space of activity, but somehow Kiki seems to rise above all the hustle and bustle and takes command of Continue reading →

]]> http://www.bfcafe.com/creating-art-where-its-needed/378/feed 0 http://www.bfcafe.com/must-see-documentary-film-chicano-rock-the-sounds-of-east-los-angeles/348?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=must-see-documentary-film-chicano-rock-the-sounds-of-east-los-angeles http://www.bfcafe.com/must-see-documentary-film-chicano-rock-the-sounds-of-east-los-angeles/348#comments Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:49:29 +0000 pablo http://www.bfcafe.com/?p=348 (Nancy and Jon Wilkman, Angel Aviles McClinton and Seidy Lopez, at the Don’t Knock The Rock Film Festival.) Life is AWESOME isn’t it? On Thursday I had the chance to enjoy some of my favorite things. I got together with some old friends, met some new friends and watched a totally RAD film. Chicano Rock! Continue reading →

]]> (Nancy and Jon Wilkman, Angel Aviles McClinton and Seidy Lopez, at the Don’t Knock The Rock Film Festival.) Life is AWESOME isn’t it? On Thursday I had the chance to enjoy some of my favorite things. I got together with some old friends, met some new friends and watched a totally RAD film. Chicano Rock! Continue reading →

]]> http://www.bfcafe.com/must-see-documentary-film-chicano-rock-the-sounds-of-east-los-angeles/348/feed 0 http://www.bfcafe.com/underground-urban-a-love-story/338?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=underground-urban-a-love-story http://www.bfcafe.com/underground-urban-a-love-story/338#comments Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:57:44 +0000 pablo http://www.bfcafe.com/?p=338 “Jeff Rivera’s FOREVER MY LADY captures those fleeting but powerful moments in the life of young love, with the seed for love to grow into family, into community, into a better world.” Luis J. Rodriguez, author of “Always Running” _______________________________________________________________ BFC: Where did you grow up and what was the culture of your home like? Continue reading →

]]> “Jeff Rivera’s FOREVER MY LADY captures those fleeting but powerful moments in the life of young love, with the seed for love to grow into family, into community, into a better world.” Luis J. Rodriguez, author of “Always Running” _______________________________________________________________ BFC: Where did you grow up and what was the culture of your home like? Continue reading →

]]> http://www.bfcafe.com/underground-urban-a-love-story/338/feed 0 http://www.bfcafe.com/were-filmmakers-period/323?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=were-filmmakers-period http://www.bfcafe.com/were-filmmakers-period/323#comments Sat, 13 Jun 2009 05:26:02 +0000 pablo http://www.bfcafe.com/?p=323 I first met Ed and Jose Quiroz ten years ago when I worked on their film “Blood and Tears. I had just decided to go back to school. I remember my husband thinking I was nuts; flying out to San Francisco alone, to meet some guys that said they were filmmakers, and play the part Continue reading →

]]> I first met Ed and Jose Quiroz ten years ago when I worked on their film “Blood and Tears. I had just decided to go back to school. I remember my husband thinking I was nuts; flying out to San Francisco alone, to meet some guys that said they were filmmakers, and play the part Continue reading →

]]> http://www.bfcafe.com/were-filmmakers-period/323/feed 1 http://www.bfcafe.com/latino-american-movies-whos-making-them-and-whos-not/272?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=latino-american-movies-whos-making-them-and-whos-not http://www.bfcafe.com/latino-american-movies-whos-making-them-and-whos-not/272#comments Sat, 09 May 2009 05:25:25 +0000 pablo http://www.bfcafe.com/?p=272 (photo Fancisco Ordonez, Angel, Franc. Reyes) It was at NALIP that we met Franc. Reyes or should I say we smacked into the culture of Franc. Reyes. If you know Franc…you understand what I mean. If you don’t know him…then brace yourself. Talking to Franc is like facing a freight train at full speed; It’s Continue reading →

]]> (photo Fancisco Ordonez, Angel, Franc. Reyes) It was at NALIP that we met Franc. Reyes or should I say we smacked into the culture of Franc. Reyes. If you know Franc…you understand what I mean. If you don’t know him…then brace yourself. Talking to Franc is like facing a freight train at full speed; It’s Continue reading →

]]> http://www.bfcafe.com/latino-american-movies-whos-making-them-and-whos-not/272/feed 15 00:01:01 (photo Fancisco Ordonez, Angel, Franc. Reyes) It was at NALIP that we met Franc. Reyes or should I say we smacked into the culture of Franc. ... (photo Fancisco Ordonez, Angel, Franc. Reyes) It was at NALIP that we met Franc. Reyes or should I say we smacked into the culture of Franc. Reyes. If you know Franc...you understand what I mean. If you donrsquo;t know him...then brace yourself. Talking to Franc is like facing a freight train at full speed; Itrsquo;s powerful and filled with some major conviction! Herersquo;s just a sampling of what we heard: bull; ldquo;Latino Powerrdquo; in Hollywood is almost an oxymoron. bull; White filmmakers making Latino themed films are given the benefit of doubt by Hollywood and Latinos in Hollywood, before it is given to American Latino filmmakers. bull; Latinos in Hollywood have to create their own Hollywood stars. bull; Latinos in the movie business have no one else to blame but themselves for the lack of onscreen representation. bull; If a white filmmaker makes a drug dealer themed film it wins awards, if an American Latino makes the same film itrsquo;s called stereotypical by Latinos in Hollywood. As we sat down in the lounge area of a posh Newport Beach Hotel, Angel began the interview as I took frantic notes. Angel began by asking Franc about his background, which you can hear in our audio interview (below photo), have a listen, we promise, you will find it just as fascinating. As the interview continued, Francrsquo;s answers at first seemed to be very narrow minded, militant, and even borderline racist. Angel proceeded and asked, ldquo;Are you a Latino filmmaker?rdquo; Franc without hesitation answered, ldquo;Absolutely!rdquo; He continued, that he is a Latino filmmaker because he is an American Latino, telling good American stories with Latinos in them. Angel followed up with. ldquo;Are Latino films Latino because of the director, story, or audience? Franc replied with a question, ldquo;Is ldquo;Do The Right Thingrdquo;, a Black film?rdquo; and then followed up with, ldquo;Itrsquo;s a Black film because of all the above. That said, a good film whether Black, Latino or other, will have mass appeal. I make movies for the general public, the people who work at Target or Starbucks, theyrsquo;re my audience.rdquo; At this point, things got very interesting; Franc stated that, ldquo;ldquo;Mi Vida Locardquo; is not a Latino film anymore than ldquo;Color Purplerdquo; is a black film. These films are not treated as films ldquo;of colorrdquo; by Hollywood. Though I loved both films, ldquo;Color Purplerdquo; was treated like a Steven Spielberg movie and ldquo;Mi Vida Locardquo; like and Alison Anders movie.rdquo; I could see Angel was finding it challenging to listen and not debate Franc. Franc, went on to say, ldquo;When white filmmakers make films about American Latinos in a hardcore situation ie: Scarface, Traffic, Maria Full Of Grace, theyrsquo;re treated as a ldquo;study of Latinos in their habitatrdquo;. Therefore intellectualized into something greater than itself. When Latinos do it [make the same type of films], ie: American Me, Empire, Illegal Tender, etc. they are labeled as a ldquo;perpetuation of stereotypesrdquo; by Latino intellectuals in Hollywood.rdquo; As Franc passionately stated, the problem is not the Hollywood establishment, the problem is with us Latinos! We have only ourselves to blame for not being represented on the big screen. The answer is to ldquo;empower ourselvesrdquo; and make it happen now! It is possible. How is it possible? Franc offered these truisms: bull; Latinos in Hollywood should empower themselves. No one is going to give Latinos anything; Latinos have to create their own prosperity. A page off of the African American experience in Hollywood. bull; Work with other Latinos. We are skilled and know how to make motion pictures. bull; Be very involved in marketing your own films. bull; Persevere Franc also stated that he makes commercial Latin films to entertain and make money, but that he tells stories with truth. His stories are ... Filmmakers pablo2pap@gmail.com no No http://www.bfcafe.com/a-filmmaker-taking-on-the-future/252?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-filmmaker-taking-on-the-future http://www.bfcafe.com/a-filmmaker-taking-on-the-future/252#comments Sat, 02 May 2009 06:44:56 +0000 pablo http://www.bfcafe.com/?p=252 Michael Centeno is a young filmmaker I met at the Pasedena Cinco de Mayo Festival last year. When I asked to view his work for an article on this site, he presented me with a press kit worthy enough to represent a million dollar film. I realize after reading his package that this man does Continue reading →

]]> Michael Centeno is a young filmmaker I met at the Pasedena Cinco de Mayo Festival last year. When I asked to view his work for an article on this site, he presented me with a press kit worthy enough to represent a million dollar film. I realize after reading his package that this man does Continue reading →

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