Paola Mendoza Movies
Sandwiched tightly in between South Africa and Mozambique, the nation of Swaziland sits poised on the brink of revolution. It also appears to exist outside of modern history, as the last remaining monarchical African state. The country battles such problems as a 43-percent AIDS/HIV rate, terrorist cells littering the countryside, and -- most significantly -- a large, angry populace ready to revolt. Meanwhile, the Swazi king, Mswati III, price shops for a fleet of limousines and evinces a frightening lack of touch with his country's needs by banning political parties and leaning heavily on an ineffectual constitution. As unrest erupts outside of the palace, a quieter storm brews within, springing from the political discontent of the king's heiress, rapper Princess Sikhanyiso. In his documentary Without the King, filmmaker Michael Skolnik cross-sections this regime to provide a series of stunning and frequently shocking revelations and insights about a nation that may soon be rocked by the turbulence of sociopolitical change. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- 2008
Fifteen New Yorkers head out for a night on the town that has unexpected consequences in this independent ensemble drama. Larry (Bill Sage) is a record company executive who is dating Mia (Maria Zyrianova), a beautiful model several years his junior, though he's also been sleeping with Emily (Holley Fain), his personal assistant. On Emily's suggestion, Larry goes out to a trendy club to see a promising local band fronted by Angelina (Donnamarie Recco) and Leroy (Aaron Staton); the two are also a couple offstage, but their relationship is on its last legs. When not singing, Angelina serves drinks at the club, and one of her regular customers, an actor named Greg (Christian Campbell), has finally worked up the nerve to ask her out on a date. Also at the club with romance on her mind is Michelle (Paola Mendoza), who is finally meeting Jack (Michael Muhney) after weeks of chatting on an internet dating site; however, Michelle's jealous former boyfriend (Billy Lush) is keeping his eye on her. Abby (Merissa Morin) is deeply in love with her boyfriend Marc (Bill Dawes), a bartender at the club, but is surprised to learn that her friend Clarice (Frankie Shaw) also has romantic feelings for her. And Wendy (Melissa Leo), who is older than most of the bar's clientele, finds herself vying for the attentions of both Marc and the more age-appropriate Doug (Robert Clohessy). One Night was an official selection at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Cahoon, Christian Campbell, (more)
Writer/director Christopher Zalla authored and helms the contemporary post-noir thriller Blood of My Blood. The film concerns Juan, a ruthless and conniving ex-career criminal who tries to escape his past by hopping a truck transporting illegal immigrants from Mexico to the Big Apple. Over the course of his journey, Juan meets and befriends Pedro, a sweet but illiterate Puebla native -- long-estranged from his father, Diego -- who harbors a strong desire to make contact with his dad and holds a letter of introduction from his mother to help him accomplish his goal. The naïve Pedro falls into the clutches of the sociopathic Juan, who promptly wins his confidence, then rips off all of his belongings during the night and attempts to steal his identity, plotting to fallaciously present himself to Diego as the gentleman's son. The film then cross-cuts between the story of each man (one desperate, the other slick and arrogant) as they each seek out food and shelter and comb the city for the man in whom they see a chance to establish a secure future. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jorge Ádrian Espíndola, Armando Hernandez, (more)
A three year old girl born into severe poverty contends with the fact that she may be placed in foster care after her teenage mother is thrown in jail on burglary charges. Actress Paula Mendoza was playing the role of a young mother in the independent film On the Outs when she formed a close bond with her co-star Autumn Collier, who played her onscreen daughter. Autumn was from Jersey City, New Jersey. Despite facing such extreme obstacles as living in a household with no electricity for weeks on end, and potentially being placed in foster care while her mother was incarcerated, young Autumn always maintained a positive outlook on life. Inspired, Mendoza decided to take a turn behind the camera to document the experiences of a young girl with a remarkable spirit, and a powerful determination to break the cycle of abuse, incarceration, and poverty that has consumed so many before her. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Three teenage girls struggle to survive in the urban jungle of their hardscrabble New Jersey neighborhood in this fact-inspired independent drama. Oz (Judy Marte) is an unapologetically tough 17-year-old who oversees a team of drug dealers, but beneath her hard shell is a soft heart as she cares for her younger brother who is mentally challenged (Dominic Colón). Suzette (Anny Mariano) is 15, and her mother is determined that her daughter is going to make something of herself -- which makes matters all the worse for Suzette when her boyfriend gets her pregnant then refuses to take his share of the responsibilities. And Marison (Paola Mendoza) is a young single mother who is trying to hold on to custody of her daughter while fighting a losing battle with drug addiction. On the Outs received its world premiere at the 2004 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anny Mariano, Judy Marte, (more)
