John Leguizamo Unfiltered On Why Studios Don’t Greenlight Latinx Films; The Virtual New York Latino Film Festival 2020 ; New Academy Diversity Rules

This week Jack and Mike welcome the one and only John Leguizamo who is debuting as a director on the big screen with Latinx chess film, ‘Critical Thinking‘. Leguizamo who gave an unfiltered and uncensored interview, discussed the challenges of financing Latinx films, why major studios rarely release them anymore, the enduring influence of 1988’s ‘Stand and Deliver,’ the psycho-social erasure of Latinx in media and politics, the enigma of Latinos for Trump, colorism and racism amongst Latinos, especially on Spanish-language TV (Telemundo), should white filmmakers still tell Latinx/Black stories, what kind of films he wants to do next, and an update on his new Broadway musical – ‘Kiss My Aztec’ coming 2022.

Jack and Mike also talk to Calixto Chinchilla, the founder and executive director of the New York Latino Film Festival which this year goes virtual. Did he ever consider cancelling it this year due to the pandemic, his thoughts on brown and black unity and if he believes the new academy diversity rules are a sign of progress or tokenism.

And the guys passionately break down the new Academy Awards Diversity Rules. Will it work or disappoint?

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