Santa Mesa
Santa Mesa
Following the death of his mother, 12-year-old Hector arrives in Manila to live with his grandmother, Lita, a woman he has never met. Experiencing culture shock and isolation, Hector befriends Sel, a neighborhood girl and Miguel, a petty hustler who belongs to the local street gang.
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AVAILABLE ON DEMAND
OFFICIAL TRAILER
SYNOPSIS
Following the death of his mother, 12-year-old Hector arrives in Manila to live with his grandmother, Lita, a woman he has never met. Experiencing culture shock and isolation, Hector befriends Sel, a neighborhood girl and Miguel, a petty hustler who belongs to the local street gang. Falling in with the wrong crowd, he becomes a gangster, but on his gang initiation night things go terribly wrong. He is caught stealing while in the home of 60 year old Jose, but instead of turning Hector in, Jose mentors him in ‘Gran Torino’ style. He opens up Hector to a new world, with new challenges, a new outlook and leading them into long forgotten secrets.
TECH SPECS
Running Time: 84 minutes
Format: 1:78 (HD)
Sound: Dolby SR
Country: USA
Website: www.SantaMesaMovie.com
Genre: Family
CAST & CREW
Directed by: Ron Morales
Starring: Jaime Tirelli, Melissa Leo, Jacob Shalov, Maria Lopez, Pierro Rodriguez and Angie Ferro
AWARDS, FESTIVALS, PUBLICITY
Winner Best Drama – San Diego Asian American Film Festival
Winner Best Feature — Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival
Winner Jury Prize – San Francisco IAA Film Festival
Official Selection – Singapore International Film Festival
Official Selection – Hawaii Film Festival
Official Selection – Rome Film Festival
Official Selection – DC Asian Pacific Film Festival
Official Selection – Chicago Filipino Film Festival
Official Selection – Toronto Reel Asian Film Festival
Official Selection – Los Angeles Pan American Film Festival
Official Selection – Shanghai International Film Festival
Official Selection – New York Asian American Intl Film Festival
Official Selection – New Delhi Film Festival
Official Selection – Boston Asian American Film Festival
Official Selection – Dallas Asian American Film Festival
Official Selection – Austin Asian American Film Festival
Official Selection – Vancouver Asian Film Festival
Official Selection – Mount Shasta International Film Festival
Official Selection – Pittsburgh Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival
“…Morales displays a deft hand with cast, atmosphere and conflicts that, in other hands, might have turned contrived, preachy or lurid. Highlights in the solid production package are Yaron Orbach’s color-saturated nocturnal lensing and Daniel Belardinelli’s ethereal score.
Dennis Harvey – Variety
” ‘Santa Mesa’ stands out for its true-to-life lessons and messages.”
SHOCKYA.com
“the acting is very good…”
Movie City News
“A very well made heartfelt journey.”
Shannon Ridler – Movie Moxie
Writer, Karen Benardello, interviews director Ron Morales
“…heartwarming story…”
New Age Mama
