On the Downlow is the first film directed by Tadeo Garcia, released in 2004. It is a low-budget film starring Michael Cortez and Tony Sancho.

On the Downlow
Theatrical poster
Directed byTadeo Garcia
Written byTadeo Garcia, Roger B. Domian
Produced byTadeo Garcia
StarringMichael Cortez
Tony Sancho
CinematographyChris Buzek
Tadeo Garcia
Edited byRoger B. Domian
Tadeo Garcia
Music byGregory Martin
Production
company
Iconoclast Films
Release date
  • 2004 (2004)
CountryUnited States
LanguagesEnglish, Spanish

It proved very popular with the film critics and the public,[citation needed] and was released on DVD on January 9, 2007.

Synopsis

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On the Downlow is a love story set in Little Village, Chicago, between Angel (Michael Cortez) and Isaac (Tony Sancho), two warm, supportive and sensitive young men. Their affection to each other is shown through a long kiss in a dark alley in Chicago and, later on, in a musical sequence in the film. Isaac also questions his sexuality in a long confession with a priest in the church.

Angel, in order to be with his secret lover Isaac, gives up his allegiance to his former Latin Kings gang and pledges to Isaac's Southside Chicago's Two Six gang led by Reaper (Donato Cruz) after a cruel initiation beating. Although the film uses the names of actual gangs in the area, the introduction to the film says there is no direct relationship to the actual gang names used.

When Reaper is later informed that Angel is an ex-gang member of the rival Latin Kings gang, he decides that Isaac should kill him. Issac desperately tries to arrange for him and Angel to escape Chicago but the inevitable happens and the gang captures Angel. When Isaac refuses to execute Angel, Reaper does it. Isaac then kills Reaper and commits suicide.

Cast

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in alphabetical order
  • Felipe Camacho as Priest (credited as Phil Camacho)
  • Eric Ambriz as Jimmy
  • Jimmy Borras Jr. as Niko
  • Juan Castaneda as Hector
  • Eddie Cruz as Esau
  • Jason R. Davis as Store Customer
  • Jeff Docherty as Dorvak's Partner
  • Perry Flores as Officer Dorvak
  • Russell Foster as Man in Yard
  • Ricardo Garcia as Jesus
  • Nicolas Gomez as Ozzy
  • Brian Parenti as Pinto
  • Adelina Quinones as Laura
  • Octavio Rivas as Raul
  • Jonathan Rodriquez as Adam
  • Pricilla Santiago as Burger Joint Girl
  • Roberto Soto as Store Owner
  • Tatiana Suarez-Pico as Mother on Stairs
  • Andrew Todaro as Mike

Awards

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  • Won "Best Narrative Feature Film" at the New York Newfest Film Festival.[citation needed]
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