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Described as a modern-day retelling of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," set in the Dominican Republic, director by Leticia Tonos Paniagua's "Cristo Rey" is a drama that follows the relationship between a kind-hearted teenager, ostracized for his mixed Haitian-Dominican descent, and the beautiful sister of a local drug kingpin he’s hired to protect. "Cristo Rey" stars James Saintil, Akari Endo, and Yasser Michelén, and has been selected by the Dr as its entry for Best Foreign Language Oscar consideration by the Academy. If director Paniagua's name is familiar, it may be because, 3 years ago, we profiled her last film, "La Hija...

There have been all sorts of retellings and re-imaginations of Shakespeare’s immortal story of those two star-crossed lovers, such as the equally immortal musical West Side Story. But "Cristo Rey" might be the most intriguing version of "Romeo and Juliet" in quite a while. Set in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, directed by Leticia Tonos Paniagua, and starring James Saintil, Akari Endo, and Yasser Michelén, the film is inspired and plays off the historical antagonisms and hatred between Dominicans and Haitians. In the film, the half brothers Janvier and Rudy, both from the same island, but from 2 different worlds, confront each...

Described as a modern-day retelling of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," set in the Dominican Republic, director by Leticia Tonos Paniagua's "Cristo Rey" is a drama that follows the relationship between a kind-hearted teenager, ostracized for his mixed Haitian-Dominican descent, and the beautiful sister of a local drug kingpin he’s hired to protect. "Cristo Rey" stars James Saintil, Akari Endo, and Yasser Michelén, and will be screening at the Film Society of Lincoln Center's 15th edition of Latinbeat, its premier annual showcase for contemporary cinema from Latin America, running from July 11-20. Visit www.filmlinc.com for complete film...

Screening at the 2nd Toronto Black Film Festival (Tbff), which kicks off today, February 11, running through the 16th, is a film described as a modern-day retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, set in the Dominican Republic. Directed by Leticia Tonos Paniagua, and titled Cristo Rey, the drama follows the relationship between a kind-hearted teenager, ostracized for his mixed Haitian-Dominican descent, and the beautiful sister of a local drug kingpin he’s hired to protect. Cristo Rey stars James Saintil, Akari Endo, and Yasser Michelén, and will be making its World Premiere at Tiff next month. If director Paniagua's name is...