Manito

Running time: N/A

West Coast Premiere Eric Eason's debut feature portrays an unflinching portrait of a community in transition-one that is rich with passion yet crippled by a cycle of violence. Junior and Manny are brothers growing up in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, one of the most vibrant Spanish speaking communities in the country. Yet, fifteen years before, this same neighborhood was known as the nation's crack capital, and Junior was one of its victims. Released from prison, Junior returns home, determined not only to get his life back on track but also to protect Manny from following in his footsteps. Manny, as his high school salutatorian, reflects the potential of his neighborhood. Abandoned by their father, for whom Junior harbors a vicious hatred, Junior's fatherly influence seems to add the only ingredient missing to assure Manny's success. But on graduation night, their father comes to Manny's party, starting a chain of events that may turn out to alter the outcome of Junior's dreams for Manny. With effective use of cinema verite filmmaking, director Easton not only accurately portrays the New York Latino experience, but also further explores the dramatic conflicts inherent in families of all ethnic backgrounds. Reviewed by Sandy Wolf