Had a nice conversation with filmmaker Carlos Portugal this morning. His movie "East Side Story" will screen Friday night as the only gay-themed film that is part of the Los Angeles International Latino Film Festival. Portugal, a gay Latino man who executive produced some Spanish-language comedies that aired on Telemundo, wrote and directed this romantic comedy.
Explains Portugal: "It is a comedy that pushes buttons.Ii'm an openly gay man and I point out what I think is wrong with the gay culture and the Latino culture; the Latino men who are on the downlow and also the racism and homophobia in the Latino culture. I also show how racist and closed-minded gays can be at tinmes, certain white gays only want to be around other certain white gays."
The movie tells the story of Diego Campos who is tired of living in East Los Angeles and being on the “down low� with the ultra-macho Pablo Morales. Things heat up when Diego is outed and Pablo decides to take cover by dating Bianca Campos, Diego’s young Aunt. Meanwhile, Diego turns his affections to Wesley, an openly gay Anglo, who along with Jonathan, his jealous boyfriend, have bought the house next door.
"I wanted to tell a story that came from the heart, about relationships and family and falling in love and falling out of love.It's a very sweet romantic comedy about coming out and coming home."

The movie, which was filmed in 21 days in Los Angeles, was made on a shoestring budget with a cast of unknown actors. Portugal says he "called in all my favors" to get the movie made. Fortunately, he had made lots of contacts and friends during his 10 years in the entertainment business.
"Everyone said yes and showed up," he says. "They donated their time, helped with catering, you name it. It was a labor of love. You hear a lot of horror stories about first time movies but we all worked together well and had so much fun together."
Portugal, 38, is of Cujban descent and grew up in Miami. But he has lived in Los Angeles for the last 20 years. The movie isn't exactly autobiograhical but there are similarities to his own life.
"The story is an original story but I was raised by my grandma as the characterin the film was, been on the downlow with Latino guys and had a white boyfriend as he does. You have twice the hurdles of someone who is just a white gay man. It can be a lot more dramatic but I also think it can be a lot more funny."

The movie has also been accepted at the International film festivals in San Francisco and San Diego and was the audience favorite at the Philadelpia Gay Film Festival. There is heavy distribution interest but a deal has not yet been sealed.
"East Side Story" screens 9:30 p.m. at the Egyptian Theater, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Tickets can be purchased at www. latinofilm.org or at ticketweb .com