The driving force behind making LVDLS was twofold. On the one hand, we were a crew of hungry, ambitious friends, without the experience or resources typically needed to pull off a feature film. We didn’t have film school educations, connections, or even a budget, but we did have bucketloads of stubbornness to make something no matter what. This determination was also fueled by the second factor: our desire to tell a quintessential New York tale of vexing exploitation… vile crimes that literally took place before our very own eyes, yet crimes the depths of which most New Yorkers still have no idea about. If ever there was a story that deserved to be told, we believed we had found it. And the fact that the majority of it unfolded on our city’s streets and subways—where we wouldn’t need permission to shoot, if we were slick enough—this also worked well into our precarious filmmaking equation.
The resulting film is something that was bricolaged into existence over the span of 7 years. Since then La Voz has found critical acclaim worldwide, playing at over 30 international film festivals, and even acquiring a theatrical run in Iran—a land of great cinema.
Nearly a decade after we started work on this film, we finally brought the baby home to the city where it was born and where it belongs. With a live score accompaniment on a newly restored, 100-year-old organ, LVDLS played to a sold-out audience in Brooklyn's beautiful San Damiano Mission. Thanks to the cast and crew, friends and family, and new friends that we met for the first time; everyone who came out and made this a magical night.
Special thanks
Michael Coffman for the transcendent live score.
The Mission, Fr. Nick and Fr. Raphael, for opening its doors to local artists.
The Lot Radio for all their help bringing the night together.
MC Paul Barman for MC-ing the Q&A.
David Moriya for the epic photos.
Kristen Billie Winter & Alan Siegler for the videos.
Tak for all that jazz.
Aimee Monihan for helping pull the whole thing off.
Zoe Alice and Lili for pouring those stiff drinks.
Anatola Araba for keeping guard on all the madness.
Tacos Morelos food truck for keeping our bellies happy.
Sailor Jerry, Montauk Brewing Co., and PBR, for the good buzz.
More photos here >