Say a Little Pray Will Stream on Apple TV+ and Prime Video This Valentine’s Day

Grammy Award-winning artist, Luis Fonsi has a lot love to share this Valentine’s Day. He made his acting debut as the romantic lead in the film Say a Little Prayer which is now set to make its video-on-demand premiere on Apple TV+ and Prime Video starting February 14, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Migrant Filmworks and New Cadence Productions have announced that the film will be on VOD following a successful limited theatrical run over the holidays last year when it screened in more than 120 theaters across the U.S. and the Caribbean, Say a Little Prayer is now set for its digital debut.

After reciting an ancient prayer the three “amigas” embark on a sacred mission to find their true love. What comes next is the story of Say a Little Prayer, which resonated among audiences when it had its theatrical release in November.  Audiences gave the film a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (a site where audiences can cast their vote for their favorite film). Say a Little Prayer truly resonated with audiences making  it a “must see” movie on Valentine’s Day and beyond!

The film stars Vannessa Vásquez (Divorce Bait), Jackie Cruz (Orange is the New Black), and Vivian Lamolli (Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies), alongside Fonsi. The supporting cast includes Angélica María, Pepe Serna, and Chris Kattan, adding depth and humor to the story.

Set in the vibrant city of San Antonio, Texas, the film follows Adela (Vásquez), an art gallery owner; Ruby (Cruz), a social media influencer; and Cristina (Lamolli), a school teacher. When the trio performs a special prayer that promises to lead them to their soulmates, romance blossoms in the most unexpected ways, taking them on an emotional rollercoaster of love, self-discovery, and friendship.

A major highlight of the film is Luis Fonsi’s involvement, not only as an actor but also as a musician. His song The Prayer In Your Eyes serves as the film’s title track, adding an emotional resonance that enhances the storytelling.

Director Perez Vidauri spoke highly of his time working with Fonsi, “It was an honor and a pleasure to direct Luis Fonsi in this picture. He is a natural. He’s a lifelong performer and an amazingly authentic artist with a pure heart. It was important to all of us to bring this inclusive, Tejano-flavored story to life. I’m proud to help shine a light on Latino culture in the U.S. and hopefully enrich our cinematic tapestry.”

The film is produced by Cristina Nava of Migrant Filmworks and De Los Santos, with Edward James Olmos and Fonsi serving as executive producers.

Audiences can look forward to a heartfelt and entertaining film that celebrates love, culture, and the power of friendship.

The post Luis Fonsi Shares The Love On Valentine’s Day In ‘Say A Little Prayer’ first appeared on .

Mags (Selina Ringel), is a Mexican-American financial advisor who runs the household and Ash (Ritesh Rajan), an Indian-American, and a great dad who runs a struggling cannabis start-up. The high-power couple seemingly have it all… except happiness.  You, Me & Her is the story of a couple who look to unconventional ways to rekindle their love life.

Leaving the baby with the nanny the two go off on a much needed vacation and a chance to re-kindly the romance they once had.  That’s when two turns into three or at least they are working on it.  They meet Angela, a spiritual digital nomad, who takes a romantic interest in Mags.  Mags is intrigued and starts to question her own sexuality. Suddenly Ash and Mags start to reconnect over the idea of having a threesome, in hopes the sexual experience will save their marriage.

You, Me & Her is a multi-festival winner, most notably taking Best Romantic Comedy at the Los Angeles Film Awards, and Best Feature Film at the Sherman Oaks Film Festival, The New York Film Awards and more recently at the Mexican-American Film & Television Festival.

It is decidedly a favorite of film reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes. Bradley Gibson encapsulates the film perfectly, “…a romantic comedy/sex farce with a bit of introspection around how emotionally healthy adults might act when presented with an option for ethical non-monogamy, then You, Me & Her will be worth your time”.

The director Dan Levy Dagerman does an excellent job of taking the actors through a myriad of emotions. From the opening scene where he sets the stage of the unhappy couple dealing with a new baby, money issues and a seemingly sexless life; to the beautiful vacation beach resort in San Pancho, Mexico where half the film takes place and the audience is set up for a in for quite a ride.

You, Me and Her, also seamlessly and organically dispels the Hollywood stereotype of what a Mexican looks like.  Ringal who not only plays the lead character, but also wrote and produced the film, is a blond haired, hazel eyed beauty, born in Guadalajara, Mexico whose character switches from English to Spanish while in Mexico and when speaking to her Mexican-Indian-American child in the film.  

You, Me and Her is a true delight in so many ways.

Production Company: Irreversible Pictures. Cinematographer: Michael Street Producers:
Anna Campbell | Cameron Fife | Fernando Lebrija | Pablo Lebrija

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Ian Lara’s comedy star continues to ascend in the wake of his highly successful and well-received HBO Special Romantic Comedy, which premiered November 11 and is currently streaming on HBO. Without question, this has been a banner year for Lara. But he is not an overnight success. The Brooklyn-born son of Dominican parents put in the hard work during his early “salad” days working a full-time day job and doing open mic gigs in the evening at various comedy clubs. All that hard work now has him poised to become a bright, shining star in the Latino comedy galaxy.

The Son of Immigrants

Born in East New York, Brooklyn, Ian grew up in a neighborhood dominated by people of Puerto Rican and Dominican heritage. Ian benefitted greatly from that proud Latino background.

“My parents were immigrants from the Dominican Republic’, recalls Ian. “From an early age, they instilled in me the immigrant work ethic. A work ethic that says as an immigrant you must work harder than everyone else in order to fit in and be accepted.”

Ian also is the beneficiary of a big humorous family that loves getting together and enjoys laughing and joking with each other.  “My parents were okay with me becoming a comic, but they insisted I had to work and earn money while trying to achieve my comedy goals,” says Lara. “I was always a fan of stand-up comedy and people suggested it to me” And wisely Lara took their advice to heart.

Perfecting His Comedy Craft

Lara’s comedy influences and role models are Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and Kevin Heart. Lara’s on-stage style and persona is conversational, observational, sharp, edgy, often raunchy, hip, smart and insightful.

“My comedy,” says Lara, “comes from just living my life.” He has the unique ability to take casual encounters with friends and people he meets on the street and finds material for jokes within them. It’s a style that creates an intimacy with his audience. Even in the large 400 seat audience venue for his Romantic Comedy HBO Special, Lara’s style and delivery created an intimate energy much like that of a small comedy club.

Ian began his rise to comic stardom by way of Comedy Central and HBO Latino’s Entre Nos franchise, which spotlights the best Latino standup talent on the scene. Comedian Aida Rodriguez, also an alum of Entre Nos, directs Lara’s HBO special.

The premiere of Romantic Comedy is his second special of 2022. His first, Growing Shame, premiered on Comedy Central Digital on February 10^th as part of their series of half hours. He performed his 30-minute debut comedy special LA Meets NY for HBO Latino’s esteemed Entre Nos franchise in 2020, which did so well the streamer gave him his current special now streaming on HBO.  

His appearance on Comedy Central’s StandUP Featuring has garnered over 10 million views collectively on social media, and he was a regular on the network’s hit series This Week at the Comedy Cellar.  He is also a big favorite on NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

A Dynamic Duo Team of Latino Producers Make It Happen

It was through the tireless, creative efforts of the dynamic Latino producing duo of Victor Elizalde and Edwin Licona., who in conjunction and cooperation with HBO, brought the ground-breaking Entre Nos series to life. Elizalde and Licona explain: “We wanted to create a Latino stand-up comedy show that was clever enough to attract a discerning audience that spoke both English and Spanish and was  true to the Latino experience. So, ultimately the brand was developed as Entre Nos—We Speak Comedy.

Elizalde and Licona, who also produced Romantic Comedy, point out that, “HBO programming fought hard for this show to get it placed including forcing the show to be a licensed product and not an HBO Original. They continue, “Kudos to the HBO team for leading the way whilst allowing us to own the brand we created.  This is unheard of for almost any modern-day producers”

However, the two enterprising Latino producers came up against the usual obstacles to a Latino production. According to Elizalde and Licona, “Too many platforms did not originally see the need or demand for Latino based comedy” 

Furthermore, they explained, “It wasn’t until the breakout Orlando Leyba‘s comedy special on HBO did executives start to take notice that not only was there an audience but that they had no idea who the main attractions were like Frankie Quinones, Chris Estrada, Jerry Garcia and Aida Rodriguez to name a few.  Hollywood execs did not realize that these folks are all household names, but just not in their household”.  The latest shows on HBO were with Ian Lara, Ralph Barbosa and Gwen LaRoka. Judging by the requests for comp VIP tickets to the launch parties and activations by the talent agents, managers and platform execs these obstacles are being removed quickly.

So, What’s Next for Ian Lara?

When Lara was asked where he saw himself in five years — doing more comedy specials, a TV sitcom series, possibly a movie, Lara without hesitation answered enthusiastically, “All of the above.” Will Lara get his shot at the brass ring to become a “household name” like Frankie Quinones, Chris Estrada, Jerry Garcia and Aida Rodriguez?

Producers Elizalde and Lacona have demonstrated their passionate commitment to showcasing the wide diversity, shapes, sizes in authentic, relatable programs that highlight the best of our culture. The opportunities for Lara will certainly be there and for this rising comedy star, the sky is the limit.

To find out about Ian’s upcoming tour dates, check out his website: www.IanLaraLive.com. Romantic Comedy is now streaming on HBO.

The post Stand-up Ian Lara is a Hit in HBOs ‘Romantic Comedy’ first appeared on .

Multi-platinum-selling recording artist/songwriter Luis Fonsi is taking a major career leap into the acting realm.  Last week he signed on as the romantic lead in Nancy De Los Santos‘ romantic comedy The Answer to my Prayer, which is scheduled to begin shooting later in 2022.

Answer to My Prayers follows the romance travails of three Latina friends whose destinies are changed by an ancient prayer given to them by one of their abuelita. The prayer to St. Anthony promises to help them find true love. Fonsi plays the character of Rafael Reza in this romantic comedy with a Latina heart.  Casting is currently underway.

Back in the early 90’s putting together a project like this was what Latino indie filmmakers dreamt about — a day when they had enough industry clout to come together and tell the stories Hollywood still refuses to tell. The accomplished production team for The Answer to my Prayer, collectively have produced projects that include some of Hollywood’s biggest hits like Selena, Stand and Deliver, Mi Familia My Familia, American Me, Filly Brown, and The Bronze Screen:100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood Cinema.  

Actor/producer Edward James Olmos who is currently starring on FX’s Mayans M.C. and whose credits both as an actor and producer are legendary, is on board as executive producer, with award-winning director Patrick Perez Vidauri whose last three films have been romantic comedies (Divorce Bait, Townhouse Confidential and In Other Words) will direct from de Los Santos’s script. Cristina Nava who has worked alongside Vidauri as producer on two of his films will lead the production with Texas-based Roberto Treviño and Eileen Kret (Selena) as co-producers. 

Vidaurri and Nava are fast becoming the go-to duo specializing in romantic comedies with Latinos in the lead.  Producing under their banner of Migrant Filmworks this husband and wife team have produced In Other Words which starred Edy Ganam, Natasha Esca, Byran McClure and streamed on HBO.  Their most recent film Divorce Bait stars Vannessa Vasquez and Justin Berti, has been acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films and is set for a 2022 fall release. 

“The mission of our company is to tell stories with universal themes and to promote Latinx roles in front and behind the camera,” said Nava. I can’t wait to share this fun rom com full of comedy of errors, love triangles, and heart!”

The story is set in San Antonio, Texas where the city’s natural beauty, eclectic collection of public art, and historic architecture will add to the richness of the story making it a great setting for romance. 

“Nancy’s script has exactly the elements I look for when I take on a new project,” Perez told us. “With a warm, humanity-filled, and gut-busting hilarity that goes along with a unique look of our beautiful Texican and Latinx culture.

Fonsi’s casting as the lead character was inspired by his leading man looks and his numerous music videos performances as well as some television credits. That and the fact that he is known the world over for his 2017 record-breaking song Despacito played a major part. In 2020 his song broke six Guinness World Records by selling more than 11 million records and the music video was the most-watched YouTube video of all time until November 2020, with over 7 billion views.  

The casting also follows the template of the recent boxoffice hit Father of the Bride which cast singer/songrwriter Gloria Estefan in the lead role of Andy Garcia‘s wife in Father of the Bride which attracted the largest audience of any HBO Max movie that has streamed exclusively on the platform thanks in part to being among the top 5 movies in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Chile and Argentina according to box office stats.

The possibility of an acting career was something Fonsi had thought of in the past.  Back in 2011 in an on-camera interview with Acceso Total he was asked if he ever considered an acting career, “If tomorrow, I’m asked to do a role in an interesting TV show or a movie, of course, I’m not going to turn it down if I feel I can do it”.  And just like that, eleven years later, Fonsi has found “the” interesting project that could launch his acting career.

“This is my dream team. Cristina, Patrick, and Mr. Olmos are filmmakers dedicated to elevating the Latina and Latino images by presenting realistic images of our community,” said de Los Santos.  “Patrick brings his extensive experience as a rom-com director. His incredible ability to tell a story visually, adding insight and imagery to the script, is a gift.”

Fonsi and Olmos are represented by CAA; Nava and Vidauri are both repped by Citizen Skull Productions. 

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