By Elia Esparza
Currently on iTunes
It is always exciting each time we see a commercial film or TV project hit our desks that include a Latino cast and/or a Latino angle to its storyline. Filmmakers are leading the way in diversity and kudos to them for recognizing that Latinos are very much a part of the American fiber and how much richer a diverse cast and story themes will bring to any project. So when Peruvian actress, Uzo, currently living in New York, told me about a mainstream film she’s in, well it caught my attention. Ok, I’ll also admit that when she also mentioned Keanu Reeves is an executive producer, well it was impossible to turn a blind eye!
Already Gone comes to us from director Christopher Kenneally— his first narrative feature since his Side by Side documentary, a film that explores how the art of cinema has been impacted by the digital age. Already Gone is an urban-gritty crime-action road trip full of all of the ups and downs a pair of teenagers can encounter while on the run… fleeing the criminal and abusive Martin, whom they also stole from. In addition, it doesn’t help that the teen Robbie falls in love with the teen Keesha, who also just happens to be the crook’s girlfriend. What could go wrong?
Yeah, well just about everything goes haywire!
Robbie is portrayed by Tyler Dean Flores (The Dark Knight). Evidently, Robbie lives with his mother’s ex, a man named Martin, stuck here after his mother died. Keesha is played by Justine Skye, who happens to be a dancer at a local strip club and Martin’s girlfriend. In the role of the sinister Martin is Seann William Scott (Lethal Weapon TV series, American Pie). Other supporting casts include Shiloh Fernandez (Evil Dead, Red Riding Hood)), Raquel Castro (Empire, Blue Bloods TV series, Jersey Girl), and MaGa Uzo. And, oh yeah, Reeves is the film’s executive producer. The actor has long been an icon, but in 2019, at the peak of his career, Vox magazine stated that the current pop culture is being called “the Keannaissance.” He is not only beloved for his impromptu kindness to strangers. But, lately, he’s added his name and resources to various indie films and TV series with diverse casts.
In the film, Robbie harbors a secret crush on Keesha and after spying on her at the strip joint, he overhears Martin talk about pimping Keesha out. Robbie decides to rescue her but not first before stealing a car and a bag filled with Martin’s drug money. Their great adventure starts out in Coney Island and with no real plan in place other than heading towards the farthest west point they can go to get away from Martin. Unfortunately, for Robbie, with each mile they travel, his delusional love for Keesha grows.
After their car breaks down in rural Colorado, they are taken in by a Mexican family who owns a Mexican restaurant and the motel attached to it. The family consists of the young handsome Edwin, played by Fernandez, who is an aspiring artist, his grandmother, the restaurant’s chef, played by MaGa, and Edwin’s two younger sisters.
Robbie, who is also an aspiring graffiti artist is drawn to a mural Edwin is working on, and lets his guard down when he is befriended by the entire family. The family is so nice and engaging that it is hard to turn down their offer of hospitality. The runaway teens share a room, which is only going to make it harder for Robbie to control his strong feelings for Keesha, who is clueless to his affections. However, it doesn’t take long for the flirty Keesha to set her sights on the gorgeous Edwin. To which breaks Robbie’s heart and he feels so betrayed.
While all this romance drama is going on, Robbie has neglected the fact that Martin is getting closer to them. Robbie does himself no favors when at every stop they make, he leaves his trademark dolphin on windows and bathroom mirrors, naively making it easier for Martin to stay hot on their trail.
Argentina-born, Uzo, has been living her dreams of acting since 1998 when under the wing of Nicaraguan renown actor Enrique Victoria Fernandez, she continued to work on her acting technique and performing for his production of “Monologo en la Havana,” an adaptation of a famous monologue. Eventually, in 2000, MaGa immigrated to Miami from Peru and has diligently been working on her career ever since. She has performed in many plays, “Cronicas Desquiciadas”, under the direction of Glauber Barcelo; she repeated her performance in “Monologo en la Habana,” then in 2012, she was cast in the hugely popular, “Monologos de la Vagina.” Also, in 2012 she continued to work in various indie shorts, Brothers, The Tourist Trap, and En Soledad. She also was cast in the indie feature, La Ruta del Sol.
Already Gone marks MaGa’s first commercial feature film, after years of training, selecting only projects that advance her training, skills, and experience. Her patience and perseverance have paid off because she is wonderful and convincing as the Mexican grandmother and master cook.
MaGa traveled from Latin America to realize her childhood dreams of becoming an actress. So, with a confidence-filled heart, and with only $25 bucks in her pocket, she came to America. Now that’s chutzpah!
Already Gone
92 Minutes
RainMaker Films, Yale Productions
Distributed by Gravitas Ventures
Director/Writer: Christopher Kenneally
Producers: Jordan Beckerman, Robyn K. Bennett, Shruti Ganguly
Executive producers: Jim Klock, Clay Pecorin, Keanu Reeves
Director of photography: Spenser T. Nottage
Cast: Tyler Dean Flores, Justine Skye, Shiloh Fernandez, Seann William Scott, Raquel Castro, Maga Uzo