East Side Story 8:30pm • Oct 1 • sWFc 5:00pm • Oct 3 • the Guild

In this new independent film by writer/director Carlos Portugal, we see issues about gays, gentrification and Latin culture handled with drama and humor. Handsome, young Diego works in his family’s restaurant in east Los Angeles and secretly dates a hot, but closeted, real estate agent. When his secret lover calls off their relationship, Diego thinks about moving away and starting again on his own. Things are further complicated by his ex-lover becoming involved with his aunt! but in his largely Latino neighborhood, the cultural landscape is changing, and Diego finds himself attracted to one half of a gay, white couple that has just moved in to the area. Homophobic friends, relatives, and Diego’s increasing fascination with his new neighbor (who has a rascist partner), all serve to make this soap-opera worthy plot an engaging and funny film. East Side Story is a charming tale of a neighborhood-and its residents-in transition. – Rachel Popowcer (USA, 2005, 84 min, dir: Carlos Portugal)