The Latino population of Manhattan's Washington Heights comes under the microscope in this fascinating portrayal of urban life from director Eric Eason. Manito (Leo Minaya) is an ambitious student, eager to escape his surroundings. Upon landing a full scholarship at Syracuse, Manito appears ready to realize his dreams. His older brother, Junior Moreno (Franky G), decides to throw his sibling a big party to celebrate, and it is on Junior that the film largely focuses. Trying to balance a job as a painter, keep his indiscretions a secret from his wife, and prevent his father from attending Manito's celebrations all prove to be a tough task for Junior, and these factors frequently send him into a violent rage. As the film builds to its crescendo, it appears that no member of the family is able to let old habits die easily, revealing some surprising plot twists and an undercurrent of violence that is both shocking and tragic.

Director Eason's digital video images lend an almost documentary-like feel to this moving tale of life in a tough, rundown neighborhood. Minaya and Franky G give compelling performances as the film's two main protagonists, portraying a slice of life that is sad and disturbing in equal measures.

DVD Features:

Keep Case
Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
[unspecified] - English
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary - 1. Eric Eason - Director
Interviews - 1. Frankie G.- Star
Bonus Feature - 1. short, MORNING BREATH
Trailer - 1. Theatrical Trailer
2. INCH'ALLAH DIMANCHE
Text/Photo Galleries:
Biographies

 Franky G.: Actor, MANITO (2003)
Leo Minaya: Actor, MANITO (2003)
Manuel Cabral: Actor, MANITO (2003)
Julissa Lopez: Actor, MANITO (2003)
Jessica Morales: Actor, MANITO (2003)
Hector Gonzalez: Actor, MANITO (2003)
Panchito Gomez: Spanish Actor
 Fulanito: Actor, MANITO (2003)

Eric Eason: Director, MANITO (2003)

Jesse Scolaro: Producer, MANITO (2003)
Allen Bain: Producer, MANITO (2003)

Eric Eason: Director, MANITO (2003)

"...MANITO, Eric Eason's debut feature, was made with very little money, a fair amount of skill and a great deal of heart....He has a quick-moving, incisive eye that captures little details of gesture and décor..."
"...As a dramatist Eason has a classicist's sense of structure and movement to complement his sense of the cinematic....A small film with a big impact..."
"...Heartfelt, gloriously specific, chockfull of guts, and sputtering with raw life..."