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 Cultures
collide as a drug dealer from the South Bronx (John Leguizamo, pictured)
goes into business with an investment banker (Peter Sarsgaard) and
discovers the so-called straight world isn't much different from
his own. Directorial debut of Franc. Reyes; with Denise Richards.
(1 hr. 38 mins.; R) — BILGE EBIRI
Opens December 6
• Showtimes
& tickets (movietickets.com)
Spotlight: John Leguizamo
"We're turning up the volume of Hollywood's Latin voice," says John
Leguizamo, star of Empire, the first release from Arenas
Entertainment, a new Hispanic film incubator and distributor. "We
want to nurture homegrown talent and give Latin writers and directors
a chance, not imitate or distill or make genre flicks, like that
guy whose name rhymes with cappuccino"—he means Quentin Tarantino—"but
portray what we saw growing up." Which means creating characters
like Empire's Victor Rosa, the drug dealer and father-to-be he plays
in the film. "I did so much research for this part," Leguizamo,
38, says. "I talked to friends who had problems, and they connected
me to people who helped them get those problems, and I went with
the dealers through Alphabet City, through Queens, and discovered
how business-savvy they are." The film was shot in the South Bronx,
and Leguizamo collaborated closely with first-time director Franc.
Reyes, sharing experience gleaned from his work with heavy hitters
like Brian De Palma (Carlito's Way), Baz Luhrmann (Moulin
Rouge), and Spike Lee (Summer of Sam). Leguizamo may
be proud of the film, but he's prouder still of what it represents.
"We're changing things, encouraging the Latin voice in America,"
he says. "I'd like to be the Latin Woody Allen or the Latin Spike
Lee—create really great stories about the Latin people of
New York."
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