By Liz Lopez
Gravitas Ventures acquired the United States rights to “A Dark Place,” written, produced and directed by Christopher Piñero, after the festival circuit where the film was named Best Thriller at the Manhattan Film Festival (2018), won Best Editing and Best Supporting Actor at the Hoboken international Film Festival (2018) and was the recipient of an Award of Excellence from the Accolade Global Film Competition (2018). The feature length directorial debut from Piñero (“Once Upon a Night,” “Leaving”) is available on Digital HD, Blu-rayTM, DVD and On Demand.
The suspense drama, “A Dark Place,” follows Alex (Luke Baines, “Shadowhunters,” “The Girl in the Photographs”), a twenty-something struggling to put his life back together after mistakes and a reckless past render his job search hopeless. While pressure from his pregnant girlfriend mounts, he runs into an old friend who gives him an opportunity to turn it all around. Just when things are looking up, Alex discovers a secret that sends him into a self-destructive downward spiral, bringing his two best friends down with him.
The feature also stars Jazlyn Yoder (“Chicago P.D.,” “Chicago Justice”), Jay Eftimoski (“Anatomy of Violence,” “Suburban Cowboy”), Mike Miller (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Christopher Donnellon (“Criminal Intention,” “Drama Class”) and Veronica Diaz Carranza (“Dark Was the Night,” “Taco Shop,” “12 Strong”).
Check out the trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=vl3JcJQL0Lc
INTERVIEW:
Veronica Diaz Carranza portrays Jasmine, a co-worker of Cameron (Christopher Donnellon) who is friends with Alex (Baines).
EL: This film is a drama vs the comedy you worked in previously (“Taco Shop”), so please share your experience working in this film.
VDC: Honestly, both are great experiences. In this film, it is about the people you work with and this film is exciting as you see them going to dark places.
EL: What did you find exciting as an actor?
VDC: The characters, the story and what we get to play. There were twists that we saw in the first read, then we get to see the characters come to life. It is different from the read to what comes out in the final product. It was really great.
EL: Can you share at least one challenge you had working in this production of “A Dark Place?”
VDC: To keep from laughing! My co-star Chris is entertaining and sweet.
EL: How did you get into acting?
VDC: At a young age, I loved acting. There is a video of me in pre-school during my childhood in Puerto Rico. I had better Spanish back then. I loved the art and telling stories. I came back to acting about 18 years ago and I love it.
EL: Tell me about your more recent career.
VDC: My first big film was “Walkout” and I learned a lot about Chicano history and Los Angeles – the struggle, the motivation and the power of the people. Later, I worked with amazing artists in “Mamitas,” including Pedro Armendariz Jr. right before he passed. I have been blessed to work with many artists, even in “Taco Shop.” My mom said to follow what you truly love. She is supportive.
EL: I would assume you have seen some changes over the last 18 years.
VDC: In the industry, YES! There is a difference in how they shoot – first it was film, but technology has changed. Also, the (industry) culture has much room to grow, but Latinas are pushing for a different perspective of no stereotypes, but real people and stories. More Latinas are standing up and having a voice.
EL: What other work have you recently done?
VDC: I was in the television series, “LA’s Finest,” and the first season just ended. Also, I directed the short film, “Faith,” and it is in competition at the Official Latino Film and Arts Festival. It will be screened in Los Angeles on August 25th.
Source: Gravitas Ventures