By Bel Hernandez
Jeremy Ray Valdez is one busy man, no thanks to Hollywood. In spite of the lack of roles for Latinos, Jeremy has had back to back leading roles in three films this year, all independently produced and directed by Latinos. Blaze you Out directed by Mateo Frasier & Diego Joaquin Lopez was released this past July. In September he starred in the action drama, Mission Park directed by Bryan Ramirez where he played an FBI agent. His latest film Dreamer directed by Jesse Salmeron, will have its Los Angeles premiere on October 13 at 4:50pm at the Los Angeles Latino International film Festival (LALIFF) and will re-screen on October 14th at 1:10pm.
Dreamer is about Joe Rodriguez (Valdez), an All-American young man who is on the way to achieving the American Dream. That is until his employer discovers his undocumented status and the life he’s worked so hard for begins to crumble around him.
“I am also a producer on this film, which I am really proud of,” recounts Valdez. Valdez shares the producing credit with Michelle Mower and Salmeron.
“We got our seed money through www.kickstarter.com! We raised over $50,000 in thirty days by using the website in conjunction with social media and thousands of phone calls and emails. A teaser trailer was then filmed, and that was used to really show potential investors Jesse’s vision for the film. All of our funding has come from private equity.
Dealing with a hot button topic such as immigration and the millions of undocumented young adults caught in a web not of their doing, Valdez tells us he felt a film like this would help humanize the undocumented American. “There is so much negativity in our country right now when it comes to immigrants. People tend to forget about the human aspects involved, said Valdez. “At the end of the day, we are not making a documentary we are making a narrative feature film. We want people to be entertained and to enjoy a story that is relevant in America today.
The audience will get a chance to see this story alongside cast and crew members at the Los Angeles Latino International film festival which takes place from October 10th through October 14th. For more information on the festival and the over 60 films, documentaries and shorts screening CLICK HERE.
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