Opening May 2nd, Water and Power Casts Latino and Chicano film Community Icons
By Christina Rosas Anastasiou
The original play Water and Power, won the 2006 Ted Schmitt Award by the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle for outstanding new play after playing to sold out houses at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Eight years later, writer and director Richard Montoya brings the characters back to life for the screen. Presented by Edward James Olmos’ Olmos Productions and starring Enrique Murciano (666 Park Avenue, CSI), Nicholas Gonzalez (Sleepy Hollow, The Purge: Anarchy), Emilio Rivera (Sons of Anarchy), Jacob Vargas (Blue, Cesar Chavez), Clancy Brown (Sleepy Hollow), and a cameo by the legendary Lupe Ontiveros.
The film takes place in Los Angeles, where twin brothers Water (Murciano) and Power (Gonzalez), linger as the city’s lost angels. Conflicted and yet, aware of his power, Water resists Power’s manipulative schemes. His brotherly love is undeniable and Power is aware of it.
The film takes place in one night on Sunset Blvd. in an old motel, where Power confesses to Water that he has killed a man. Power spirals from repressed childhood memories of Water and his father to having a full mental breakdown. Audiences may empathize with him when they realize that he is deeply hurt by his divorce and his belief that he’s been a bad father.
Discovering both characters strengths and weaknesses feels tedious. However, it is essential to understand what Chicanos endure when expectations are high. Montoya delves deeper with scenes of the young boys and their young father (Vargas) giving them a few lessons in tough love.
In between, Water loses what’s left of his own self-respect. Water plays his own heroic act of making a deal with the city’s “mafioso,” known as Turnvil (Brown) to save his brother from being killed by LA’s gang members. The catalyst between Water and Power is Norte/Sur (Rivera), who reminds the brothers that they are the city’s royalty. Norte/Sur is Power’s logic and confidant. At first, Water sees him as a laughable vice, but soon discovers that he may be their savior.
Wanda de Jesus as Officer Siler
The Los Angeles skyline alone brings the film noir style to Montoya’s script. The city serves as the zen of the film and brings the calm after the storm. Cinematographer Claudio Chea (El Cantante, Washington Heights, Hendrix) beautifully gives us waves of colorful delusions to characters that had a chance at hope.
Supporting roles include Officer Silver played by the sultry Wanda De Jesus (Sons Of Anarchy), Robert Beltran (Star Trek: Voyager), and with a special cameo appearance by the late Lupe Ontiveros. The film’s score commands attention and makes a memorable soundtrack to a powerful scene of Norte/Sur grieving over the loss of Power.
STARRING – Nicholas Gonzalez, Enrique Murciano, Emilio Rivera, Robert Beltran, Wanda de Jesus, Jacob Vargas, Lupe Ontiveros, Sal Lopez, Roger G. Smith and Clancy Brown.
PRESENTED BY Edward James Olmos
PRODUCED BY Mark Roberts
EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY Jim Flach
CO-PRODUCED BY Lorenzo O’Brien Richard Montoya, Emilio Rivera, Marco Santiago,Jr., Gingger Shankar, Katrina Matusek
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