Matt Barr Movies

Alex Loynaz stars as earnest Real World cast-member Pedro Zamora in this intimate biopic tracing the HIV-positive immigrant's rise from humble roots to becoming one of the most instantly recognizable HIV/AIDS activists in the United States as a result of his high profile role on MTV's pioneering reality television series. In 1992, The Real World made it's debut on MTV, forever altering the definition of the term "celebrity," and providing a sympathetic face to the growing AIDS crisis for the millions of Americans who had yet to meet someone suffering from the devastating autoimmune disorder. Born the youngest child in a close-knit Cuban family, Zamora arrived in the United States as part of the 1980 Mariel boatlift. His mother died when he was just thirteen, the pain of the loss prompting the already promising student to hit the books even harder. Three short years and numerous bouts of unprotected sex later, Zamora discovered that he was HIV-positive after donating blood to the Red Cross. It was a crushing blow to the ambitious young student, though one that would unexpectedly give his life new meaning as well. As an activist and educator, Zamora longed to get his message to as many people as possible - and what better medium to do so than television? The producers were quick to recognize Zamora's eagerness to participate in the Real World as well as his openness when it came to discussing his illness, and quickly invited him to join the cast. Not many folks have the opportunity to shine in the spotlight, though Zamora made the most of his fifteen minutes of fame by using it to enlighten and inform those who were still ignorant to the threat posed by the increasingly indiscriminate disease that was once thought only to affect only homosexuals. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Zach (Matt Barr) is a smart and talented, but troubled 18-year-old growing up in suburban Texas. With the summer approaching, he and his crew have little to do in their stifling small town but look for places to skateboard. While Zach's single mother works at the local oil company and barely has time for her family, his hyperarticulate and deeply cynical older brother, Nick (Layne McKay), is sinking into depression. Zach has a serious crush on Judy (Kelly Bright), and though he seems to have an in -- they star together in a school play -- he can't get up the nerve to ask her out. The summer arrives, and Zach, Nick, and a group of five close friends are ready to spend it skateboarding. They even steal lumber from a local construction site to build their own half-pipe. But Nick's mental instability lands him in the hospital, while Zach learns that his teacher Sally's (Marie Black) intense interest in him goes beyond the accepted boundaries for drama teachers and their star pupils. Through all the turmoil, the kids find a place for skating, relishing the opportunity to make something out of the emptiness of their environment. Writer/director Clark Lee Walker, making his directorial debut, and his wife, producer Anne Walker-McBay, had worked together previously on nearly all of Richard Linklater's films, and Walker wrote the original script for The Newton Boys. For levelland, they cast many avid skaters (including McKay, a former professional) in key roles. Levelland had its world premiere at the 2003 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide