Tuesday, August 15, 2006

TAINO STARS IN FILM "END OF THE SPEAR"


New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) - Louie Leonardo, a Taíno from Quiskeya (Dominican Republic) stars in the film “End of the Spear”, which was released in theaters in January 2006. The film, based on a true story, is now available on DVD. Leonardo is a member of and performed with the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society and has extensive stage and film experience. He has frequently appeared on television in such episodes as “All My Children,” “One Life to Live,” “Law and Order,” “ER,” and “Charlie’s Angel’s,” among others.

Leonardo has also appeared in a number of motion pictures, including "Fragments," and "Exile," director Ron Shelton's "Play It To The Bone," "Shaft," directed by John Singleton, and director Fred Schepisi's "A Few Good Years." He was the Director Jim Hanson’s first choice for the important leading role of the Waodani Warrior Mincayani.

The film takes place in the Ecuadorian Amazon as a missionary group journeys to the heart of the jungle in search of the Waodani, a tribe of fierce warriors on the brink of extinction. When five of the missionary men are speared to death by a group of tribesmen led by a fierce warrior (Louie Leonardo), their families are left husbandless and fatherless. Undeterred by their tremendous loss and spurred on by hope, the families decide to remain in Ecuador, and risk living among the Waodani. But the effects of that first encounter have yet to subside: A young boy (Chase Ellison), struggling to unlock the secret of his father's death (Chad Allen), must learn to accept a tragedy he cannot change in this powerful, true story of sacrifice, courage and redemption.

*UCTPTN 08.15.2006