4:10 is an urban yarn spun in present day that speaks about the consequences we all must face as a result of our choices.
The protagonist, Manuel, the older of two brothers. Knowing that the world will do him no favors, he decides to take charge, carving out a his slice of life, his own way. The hard way; in the lucrative, often-times unforgiving world of the streets.
Exiled from his home after doing time, he returns. Desperately looking for a fresh start
and redemption. As life would have it. The slippery slope of danger and uncertainty is painted on his path once more. This time, in the form a his brother soon to be wife Maria.
Manuel sees no other way to gain Maria’s love or his father’s respect than to take his brother’s place.
In becoming the only man she can rely upon and the only son left for a father. In a twisted plot, Manuel will do what others consider unthinkable. Even Unspeakable.
Talk about gritty, hard-edged. This film goes to that visceral core in one’s heart that just grabs you and, I mean it grabs hold of you TIGHT and just won’t let up or let go until the deed is done. Then, somewhere during that process, you will find yourself wanting and feeling.
We are also excited with the performances. We’ve been blessed with some amazing talent, delivering tremendous reach and artistic range from the entire cast. That’s what makes a good film. A great story and an excellent portrayal.
Vic (Victor Rosa, my partner) and I have wrestled with 4:10 because this is my “baby”. My brain child. Vic’s concerns were in what “light” are we portraying our Latino brothers and sisters. For me, 4:10 was an epiphanial revelation of a storyline that is character driven and truthful. De-stereotyping the essence of characters within 4:10, something I labored hard to achieve.
Until recently, Latino portrayals in the media has had negative affects for the Latino community. Historically Latinos have not only been portrayed negatively through stereotypes but they have also been largely ignored and excluded from most American Media.
I know, get in line! Vic always said that he never liked Natalie Wood playing Rita Moreno’s part in West Side Story! But hey, we come a long way and we are very sensitive to how we portray our “raza” in our projects. It’s a delicate balance for Latino filmmakers today because the easy route is always to go for the knife, the gun or the needle in our characterizations.
NOTE: Support for this assumption can be provided by The Annenberg School of Cultural Communicators Project which found that between the years of 1969 to 1978 only 2.5% of primetime television characters were Hispanic.
The significance of this is that this figure is still significantly behind other minorities such as the African American population who comprised 8.5% of primetime television characters.
Another study conducted by The Center for Media and Public Affairs in Washington DC has shown that Latinos have been in the 2% range of representation in Media for the past 30 years. This percentage is also following a downward trend which is especially noticeable in the Prime Time Television shows.
Noted, it’s our mission to ensure that the way we represent Latinos is one in which
ultimately replace that needle in our character’s hand for badge. The knife for that of scalpel and the supporting actor in favor of the lead.
We’re getting there and 4:10 is only the beginning. A beginning that with YOUR SUPPORT will help us CHANGE this at this, our independent level. Empowering our highly talented actors with the confidence and self-assurance that there is NO ROLE they can undertake no matter what the norm or history. Indeed, we will be making some history of our own. It starts with 4:10. Your comments are most welcomed! – Jay Espinal-
