Today, I headed out with friends to the New York premier of On The Outs, A story of three girls living in Jersey City whose experience and fate are connected by the hardships of their everyday lives and their search for identity, survival and normality in a difficult and unsupportive environment, were drugs offer a means of empowerment, escape and entrapment for others.
Judy Marte (Raising Victor Vargas) plays Oz, a young crack dealer, who has been in and out of the system and while on the outs, struggles to care for her mentally challenged brother and recovering addict mother. Her brother Chuey, who is also faced with the challenges of identity and acceptance, is played by Dominic Colon, who played an incredible leading role.
Anny Mariano plays the 15-year-old Suzette, which loses innocence, while falling in love with a thug crack dealer named Terrell, who gets her pregnant, to the disapproval of her strict and always watchful mother. Terrell later abandons her leaving with a gun which he used to kill a minor and so begins her life in the system.
Marisol, played by Paola Mendoza, is a crack addict single mother whose life revolves around her drug use and daughter, a combination that goes sour after getting arrested and losing custody of her baby.
I loved this movie! It was well written and plotted, believable and an accurate depiction of life on the streets. Everyone needs to support this independent film. Go see it and then tell your friends to go watch it. The more word of mouth it receives the longer it will play and hopefully get picked up by a larger market.
For more information visit:
On The Outs, official website
or
The NY Film Forum
At the Film Forum opening:
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1. Judy, Dominic & I 2. Danny Rivera (J Stutter) & Dominic 3. Dominic & Paola Mendoza (Marisol) 4. Paola Mendoza & I 5. Dominic, me , and Director, Michael Skolnik
6. Dominic & Manager, Nina Schrieber, Agent, Owner of ACME New York 7. Me, Eric & Vanessa
After Party at Junno's: 
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1. Judy & I getting our drink on and giving the eyebrow 2. Judy and Dominic 3. Judy and Sky 4. Mr. Latino theater himself, Candido Tirado 5. Flaco Navaja (Jimmy), Dominic & I 6. Ha, ha what did Judy just say? 7. Us getting out of the cab for party #2
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1. Jasmine Long a.k.a. “Pooh”, who served as a major inspiration for the character Oz 2. Dominic, Writer, Lori Silverbush, Pooh & Gerald White a.k.a. “Jigga” 3. Pooh, Lori & Jigga 4. Pooh & Jigga keeping it real
Produced and directed by Lori Silverbush and Michael Skolnik; written by Ms. Silverbush; director of photography, Mariana Sanchez du Antuñano; edited by Martha Skolnik; music by Ricardo Leigh and Brian Satz; production designer, Katya Blumenberg; released by Youth House Productions and Fader Films.
81 minutes. The film is not yet rated.
Hey big man,
I've heard great things about this movie, hopefully i'll be able to check it out sometime soon. Glad you liked it and had a good time.
Aloha, Akahai
The film is awesome its received nothing but great reviews since its first showing at the Toronto film festival.
You need to call your independent movie theater program out there in Seattle and request it.
wow i remember judy i loved that movie i remeber when vargas first cam eout lol....actually i wanted to meet her but of course my friend didnt know people at all lol
She is super cool, humble, talented and beautiful.
I am truly glad that she decided to wait for a role that would truly challenge her and not give in to the first B movie gig that offered money.
Stick around and keep your eye on her. She is destined for great things.
A couple of things...
1.) I definitely want to check out this movie. It sounds great.
2.) I use to live by Astoria park. I remember running through the park with my brother, sister and dad. One time my sister fell down the hill and fucked up her face. Bendito. Your pictures brought back some good memories. I use to love staring at the bridge!
3.) Queens will always try coming for you, especially when you are down. Remember that one's own insecurities and misfortunes can make them bitter, (hence shady house queens). The trick is to remind yourself about the good in your life. We all have something to be greatful for. Besides looks are not everything. A good heart, now that is everything.
4.) Penthouse? Columbus Circle? Art Exhibit? DAMN!
I went to se the movie yesterday. It was GREAT!! I was invited to the premier but I couln't make it that night. You guys need to go check it out!!
I heard that you went with Raul and the Mario Bros. Good thing. I am glad that you enjoyed it.
The premier was in Toronto, do you me the Ny opening?
Yes to the one in NY. I really wanted to go but Mario like always flakes out.
We've been waiting a long time here in Miami! Especially myself, Dominic is a friend of mine and the one who helped me keep my sanity in the big crazy world of NYC.
Dominic is the man! He is a great friend.
Request the movie at independent film organizations. If the Alliance theather (previously on Lincoln Road) is still around, it would be a great start.
Awwwh...Thank you both for your kind words. ON THE OUTS is doing well...but we still need EVERYONE'S support. So if you are in NYC and you haven't seen the movie. Come check it... We are now playing at the NEW IFC MOVIE THEATER on West 4th Street and 6th Ave (check movie listings for screen times). PEACE. D.