I first saw 'Gun Hill Road' at the San Francisco International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Film Festival last June. Esai Morales plays, Enrique, a Latino convict who is paroled and goes home to the barrio to find his son has grown into his daughter. The similar topic of homosexuality in an Hispanic family and a father's inability to deal with it was broached by Benjamin Bratt in the San Francisco based film, ‘La Mission’ last year. Both men struggle with the cultural stigma attached to homosexuality, both feel the loss of their only son. Enrique's struggle is increased due to his own experiences while in prison. Enrique's inner conflict takes a violent turn as he struggles with his own demons. At the same time, his son, Michael (Harmony Santana), is coming to terms with his own sexual identity and how he fits in with the rest of the world around him. Not to be left unscathed by being a single mother while her husband is in prison, lonliness and need for companionship, Mom (Judy Reyes) deals with problems of her own. A powerful drama whose lessons need repeating till cultural stigmas as well as the more general social barriers are conquered.
Gun Hill Road
Director / Writer: Rashaad Ernesto Green
Cast: Esai Morales, Harmony Santana, Isaiah Whitlock, Jr., Judy Reyes
Time: 88 min.
Rating: R
Opening August 19 at the Sundance Kabuki in San Francisco
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