Ecuador POW Drama 'Open Wound' Premiere in 31st Chicago Latino Film Fest

    NEW YORK, NY, April 09, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Open Wound/Mono con Gallinas, the remarkable indie film from Ecuador, opens in North America during the 31st Chicago Latino Film Festival. The title marks the directorial debut for Alfredo Leon Leon, starring Rene Pastor (Eileen) in the role of Jorge and Melania Urbina (Black Butterfly), as Dolores. The premier is programmed for Wednesday, April 15, 6:15 pm followed by a second screening Friday, April 17, 7:00 pm; at the AMC River East 21, 322 East Illinois St., Chicago. Leon will be in attendance for introduction and interviews. Ticket on sales now

The screenplay scribed by Alfredo Leon portrays his grandfather-uncle's POW experience in the 1941 Ecuador-Peru conflict. The production took 6 years to wrap enduring budget constrains and location challenges in the jungle. Subsequently, Open Wound received support from the CNC Ecuador, Ibermedia and won the Augusto San Miguel 2010 national prize. The film debuted commercially in late 2013 with riveting reviews in 21 screens for 8 weeks in Ecuador. "I do not find making movies difficult as releasing quality films into cinema screens," commented Leon. To this date, Open Wound is awarded a Second Place in Festival de la Casa Cineteca Ecuador, December 2013; Egeda-Fipca Platino Award Nomination to Best Latin American Feature, 2014; Grand Jury Prize, Best Male Actor and Technical Jury Prize in Premieres Film Festival, Philippines, July 2014; Lima International Film Festival Selection, Peru, August 2014; Official Selection in Dominican Global Film Festival, Dominican Republic, November 2014; Official Selection in Punta del Este International Film Festival, Uruguay 2015; and 4 nominations, including Best Picture to Premios Colibri, Ecuador's National Film Awards to be announced in April 11, 2015.

Additional credits belong to supporting actors Pietro Sibille (Proof of Life), Bruno Odar (Octubre), Enrique Veintemilla (Bendita Suerte), Alfredo Espinosa (Tinta Sangre) and guest star Pamela Cortes. Main technical credits goes to Roberto Frisone, Art Director; Daniel Aviles E., Cinematographer; Amalia Herdt, Editor; original music by Sebastian Escofet (21 Grams, Biutiful ensemble); arrangement of "El Plebeyo" waltz by Agustin Baez E.

Mono con Gallinas, adventure drama, 98 min, HD, PG, Spanish/English subtitles; Producers Diego Ortuno, Dominio Digital, Ecuador/Pablo Ratto, Trivial Media, Argentina; a Movie Avenue International Distribution for the 31st Chicago Latino Film Festival, an International Latino Cultural Center event.

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