Luces, camara, accion

Screening of Ladron Que Roba a Ladron

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday,

WHERE: Cine El Rey, 311 S. 17th St., McAllen

ADMISSION: Must have ticket to enter — seats available on first-come, first-serve basis

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call (956) 682-2871

McALLEN — A little more than 20 years ago, Jo Jo Henrickson packed his car and set his sights on Tinseltown.

He bid farewell to his family, his friends and his Rio Grande Valley trappings.

There was something out there in Hollywood — something calling his name.

He just hoped he would find it.

Henrickson, now 41, is set to make his global debut as a screenwriter with the Spanish-language film Ladron Que Roba a Ladron, which is scheduled to be pre-screened tonight at Cine El Rey. Its world premiere is slated for Friday in Los Angeles.

The movie, a caper comedy starring Mexican A-listers Fernando Colunga, Gabriel Soto and Ivonne Montero, revolves around a classic heist and the players caught in the web of money and deceit. The storyline also follows the immigrant experience in the United States.

Though producers didn't work with a hefty budget, roughly just $100,000, major motion picture company Lionsgate Films picked up the project for distribution.

Ladron is one of the few films to be promoted with a worldwide premiere, including in more than 300 theaters in the United States.

Starting off in McAllen

The idea for Ladron was born when James McNamara — former chief executive officer of Telemundo and now owner of Panamax Films — and director Benjamin Odell (Padre Nuestro)discovered the writer/director team of Henrickson and Joe Menendez, according to Lionsgate Films. Henrickson makes a cameo in the film as Julio the limo driver.

A third-generation Mexican-American, Henrickson was born Jose Angel Henrickson. He grew up in a McAllen neighborhood surrounded by a close-knit family and group of friends.

At McAllen High School, from which he graduated in 1984, he worked at the KMAC public access station. While there, he was bitten by the big-screen bug.Under the direction of Fred Mann, Henrickson learned the basics of technical production, broadcasting and the action behind the camera. It was those fundamental skills that proved to be so valuable when searching for work in Los Angeles years later.

A journey of his own

Success has been a long time coming for the Valley native, who has shed sweat and tears to get where he is in the cutthroat entertainment industry.

The aspiring actor/writer/director started off doing what so many other aspiring thespians do in Hollywood: waiting tables.

While busing tables at the Improv comedy club in L.A., Henrickson broke into the industry doing stand-up, which he pursued for several years. Later, he moved on to performing at the famed Frida Kahlo Theater in downtown L.A.

“My Spanish was horrible, so it was a frightening thing to do,” he said in a phone interview from his home in L.A. “But it was a good experience and from that everything took off.”

Henrickson wound up on the set of Placas, a Spanish-language fusion of America’s Most Wanted and Cops broadcast on Telemundo, where he worked as a camera operator and later as director for one season.

“They were these very embellished stories,” he said. “The beauty of that was it was like making short films, so in all I did like 50 shorts.”

The experience on the set of the popular show gave Henrickson a better outlook of what type of work he was destined to do: screenwriting.

'I finally made it'

Being Latino in Hollywood was somewhat difficult, he said, mainly due to his fear of being typecast.

“There is a certain stigma on how non-Latinos see us,” he said. “I want to change that perception.”

Movies like Ladron — filmed in Spanish and presented with subtitles — are breaking the traditional boundaries of mainstream Latino-based movies, Henrickson says. He credits films such as Pan’s Labyrinth, Babel and Y Tu Mama Tambien, along with their respective directors, with helping to open up the market for Spanish-language movies.

“We have to start getting away from those tired old clichés, the accents and the roles that come with them,” he said. “The tipping point is barely happening now. What’s different about Ladron is that it was made by American-born Latinos.”

Though Henrickson feels at home within the fast-paced L.A. lifestyle, he wants to be able to take a little piece of the Valley to the big screen through his films and scripts

His latest project — GB: 2025, a political sci-fi thriller and urban gang film — is currently in post-production. Also in the works is a yet-to-be-titled campy horror film he wrote and co-directed with Bill Holmes.

“Everybody heard of me leaving for Hollywood 20 years ago and I finally made it,” he joked.

“My family back home is enjoying the moment as much as I am.”

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Miriam Ramirez covers features and entertainment for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4468.

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Ladron Que Roba a Ladron stars…

Fernando Colunga (Alejandro): One of the leading telenovela actors on Televisa, this Mexican star first appeared in Maria Mercedes and Marimar where he garnered much attention from industry brass and fans alike. His claim to fame stemmed from his work on Maria, la del Barrio, alongside Thalia. From that project came Esmeralda, La Usurpadora, Amor Real and El Alborada. Colunga is the only actor in the history of Spanish-language novelas to star in seven number one hits in succession, according to Lionsgate production notes.

Gabriel Soto (Anival): Born in Mexico City, Mexico, Soto represented his country in the 1996 Mister World pageant, where he finished first runner-up and caught the eye of Televisa. He became a household favorite when he starred as El Feo in Las Vias del Amor. Since then he has had leading roles in Mujer de Madera and most recently La Verdad Oculta. Soto has also been listed as one of People en Español’s Most Beautiful People.

Ivonne Montero (Rafaela): Telenovela fans know her from her days on Las Vias del Amor and Alma Rebelde but it was Montero’s work in Telemundo’s Amor Descarado and Anita No Te Rajes, that people truly took notice. A native of the capital city of Mexico, Montero is known for strong performances and head turning beauty. Past films include Asesino en Serio and El Tigre de Santa Julia.

Saul Lisazo (Moctezuma): After a 10-year career in European professional soccer, Lisazo moved to Mexico to launch a career in acting and modeling. He achieved international stardom in the Televisa and Univision novelas Por Tu Amor and El Derecho de Nacer. Lisazo then moved to the Televisa market starring in the hit novelas Gitanas and Tierra de Passiones.

Joe Menendez (director): Named one of the Top 100 Latinos on the Move, by Latino Impact magazine, Menendez’ feature directing credits include his debut, Lords of the Barrio, which he also wrote and edited. His second feature, Hunting of Man won Best Picture at the New York Latino International Film festival. His past directing jobs include Real Stories of the Highway Patrol, Placas on Telemundo and The Brothers GARcia on Nickelodeon. Menendez’ scripting credits include Dragon Tales on PBS and Urban Jungle on SiTV. Born in New York and raised in Miami, Menedez is the son of Cuban exiles. He resides in Los Angeles. (Source: Lionsgate Films)