Cine - Falling Awake
Falling Awake tells the powerful Story of
Jay (Andrew Cisneros) a young Latino Musician
in the Bronx who struggles to find
his identity in a home crowded with family
members and a neighborhood of loyal
friends and dangerous enemies. After he
meets the beautiful Manhattanite Alessandra
(Jenna Dewan), his determination to
reach toward a wider world and realize his
musical dreams becomes even stronger.
But he is tied by loyalty to his friends and his
ex-Marine brother, and by the expectations
of his frustrated, angry father. As Jay fights
to break free of the cycles of anger and violence
that grip his life and his neighborhood,
he learns that only love can help him grasp
his elusive chance at happiness, and comes
to a new understanding that helps him
take the long uncertain leap into his future.
One of the most original aspects of
this film is the music that Jay plays; you
would expect salsa or maybe R&B, but
instead he sings straight up folksy blues
music– which is really refreshing in a time
where there is such a lack of creavity.
Andrew Cisneros is a newcomer to the
movie business but has his presence
on the screen is that of someone whose “natural” acting and signing talent just
needed a vehicle to getting going. Aside
from acting in the film, Andrew and Kevin
Stuart co-wrote original compositions for
the soundtrack, sung by Cisneros. It also
features music from Brazilian composer
Ze Luis (a solo artist as well as a longtime
member of Caetano Veloso’s Band).
Nestor Serrano, who plays Jay’s father is
a veteran actor whose acting career spans
more than two decades, he also has over
thirty off-Broadway productions to his credit.
He starred with John Leguizamo in the
cult classic film, Hangin’ With The Homeboys and he has also appeared in blockbusters
like Bad Boys opposite Will Smith.
Nicholas Gonzalez, who plays Eddie, Jay’s
brother, lights up the screen with his performance
as the ex-Marine home from the war.
It’s a little know fact that while a studying
for a bachelor’s degree at Stanford he was
approached by the playwright Maria Irene
Fornes, to do a one-man play called Gas.
He appeared as Fidel Castro’s son in the
Lifetime Original movie My Little Assassin,
starring Joe Mantegna and Gabrielle Anwar.
Currently, Gonzalez stars in the reboot of Melrose
Place as Detective James Rodriguez.
Another stand out in the film is Flaco Navaja,
who plays Mafi, one of Jay’s homeboys.
Born in The Bronx, Flaco is a true
triple threat– singer, poet and actor. Since
2001, he has been the lead signer of Yerbabuena,
New York City’s premier Puerto
Rican roots music group and in 2004 was
lead vocalist with the Nicky Marrero All-Stars. He also toured internationally with
the Tony Award winning Russell Simmons’
Def Poetry Jam and he has appeared on
four episodes of the HBO series. His film
credits include Fighting, Shine On and
the cop drama Pride and Glory. Navaja
also contributed to the films soundtrack.
Falling Awake is the journey of a young musician from The Bronx who discovers that his gift can take him far, but he must first stir clear of the drama in his hood.
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