East of Hope Street (1998)

A gritty, urban, real-life story of a teenage latina who comes of age while struggling to survive the abuses of home, the inner city, and an overburdened social system in a Los Angeles most of us never see.

Director:

Nate Thomas

Writers:

Tim Russ, Nate Thomas

Stars:

Judy Herrera, Tim Russ, Roxanne Coyne

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Judy Herrera	...	Alicia (as Jade Herrera)
Tim Russ	...	Casey
Roxanne Coyne	...	Bianca
Magda Rivera	...	Rosa
Asanio Lara	...	Carlos
Greer Bohanon	...	Tameeka
Fabiana Medici
Daniel Chace	...	Mr. Robertson
Susanne McKenrick	...	Mrs. Robertson
Joyce Rae	...	Louise Carrington
Eve Rivera	...	Carmen
Ranjani Brow	...	Missy
Sebastian Cetina	...	Mario
Pete Panos	...	Luis
Barbara Jones	...	Judge Francis Albee

Storyline

Based on actual events- 15 year old Alicia Montalvo escapes the civil war violence in her native El Salvador to live in Los Angeles with her younger brother and crack-addict aunt. Her trials are compounded when the illegal sweatshop in which she works is raided. Escaping the INS raid, she is beaten by her aunt when she comes home without cash. At school, her bruises are noticed and child welfare authorities eventually step in and place her in a foster home, separating Alicia from her brother. At the foster home she is led astray by the family's other foster daughter and falls victim to a sexual predator. Police, pregnancy, the group home for pregnant teens, the house bully, rape and a shooting. It's more bad stuff than one human being should have to bear.

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Plot Keywords:

friendship | love | independent film

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Taglines:

The boundary between determination and destiny lies... East of Hope Street

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

February 1998 (USA)

Box Office

Budget:

$100,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nate Thomas & Associates

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This movie is used often in university social work programs, for training of child protective services workers, and in high schools across the country.

User Reviews

This films message needs to be heard around the world!

For a film with a tight low $100,000 budget, it worked out beautifully. The message that director Nate Thomas and producer Tim Russ bring to the audience should be praised and heard around the U.S. for the citizens need to be aware of tragedy that happens in today's foster homes.