DON'T LET ME DROWN
a feature film
Don't Let Me Drown was my first collaboration with director Cruz Angeles and his wife and co-writer, Maria Topete (whom I later worked with to produce Fernando Nation, for ESPN's documentary series, "30-for-30"). Don't Let Me Drown was my second collaboration with Lars Knudsen and Jay Van Hoy of Parts and Labor, and Ian McGloin from Strangeloop Films, after our film Lovely, Still.
on't Let Me Drown was originally a script that Maria and Cruz developed at the Sundance Screenwriting Lab. It was shot in Brooklyn in the fall of 2007, and premiered at Sundance in 2009. HBO and Showtime licensed the film after the festival, and the DVD and digital rights were ultimately licensed by Image Entertainment. The film is available today on Netflix, and other places online.
Don't Let Me Drown features some phenomenal acting talent. It was actor E.J. Bonilla's first role in a feature (he plays Lalo, the co-lead of the film, across from Gleendilys Inoa's Stephanie). Since Drown, EJ has been appearing in more and more television and films, most recently in a recurring role on ABC's show Revenge. Also starring Ricardo Chavira, Gina Torres, Yareli Arizmendi, and Damián Alcázar, Don't Let Me Drown is a retelling of the classic Romeo and Juliet story set in Brooklyn, right after the World Trade Center towers fell on September 11, 2001.
ead director Cruz Angeles' interview with Indiewire here to learn more about his vision for the film.
Here are three scenes from the movie.:
The scene above features Ricardo Chavira as Dio, and Gina Torres as his wife Dianna.
This one features EJ Bonilla, Gleendilys Inoa, and Dennis Castro.
The phone call - probably the scene that gets some of the most laughs in the film, again with EJ, Gleendy, and Dennis.