Synopsis
Pa’lante (Forward), tells the brave personal stories of local Puerto Ricans five months after they were impacted by Hurricanes Irma/Maria and showcases an Apprentice Program led by volunteers that is teaching locals carpentry.
Director’s Biography
Ramón recently was seen as the lead villain role of Bakuto in the latest two installments of Marvel’s Netflix series, IRON FIST and THE DEFENDERS. He worked opposite Finn Jones in IRON FIST and Sigourney Weaver in THE DEFENDERS. On the big screen, Ramón recently starred opposite Kate Mara, Edie Falco and Common in Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s MEGAN LEAVEY.
Coming up this Summer, Ramón will have a major arc as Ben Cruz in Showtime’s critically acclaimed series THE AFFAIR. He also just signed on to Disney’s adaptation of THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN where he will star alongside Angelina Jolie, Sam Rockwell and Bryan Cranston.
In television, Ramón was previously seen starring in Fox’s one-hour drama, GANG RELATED. The series was written by Chris Morgan (FAST & FURIOUS) and directed by Allen Hughes. Rodríguez began his career on series television, landing recurring roles on several acclaimed shows, including RESCUE ME and THE WIRE.
In 2009, he broke out in back-to-back action films TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN as Shia LaBoeuf’s wisecracking sidekick and Tony Scott’s THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 playing an MTA dispatcher with Denzel Washington. His following film credits include: BATTLE: LOS ANGELES opposite Aaron Eckhart; Dreamwork’s NEED FOR SPEED opposite Aaron Paul, Rami Malek, Michael Keaton and Imogene Poots and Jordan Roberts film, BURN YOUR MAPS along with Vera Farmiga, Virginia Madsen, and rising child star Jacob Tremblay, which premiered at TIFF in 2016
In 2016 Ramón wrote and directed his first short film THE LANGUAGE OF BALL, which had an incredible festival run being accepted into 20+ film festivals including TIFF Kids, LA Shorts, Holly Shorts, Vancouver, Edmonton and Woodstock among others. Next up is a feature he’s written with Rosie Perez that he will direct based on his childhood relationship with his father that is being produced by Edward Norton. Rodríguez has recently been focused on relief efforts of his native Puerto Rico working with HEART 9/11 on rebuilding roofs on the island. His passion for both the island and directing led him to direct a documentary about the current status of the island, the work being done by the volunteers and an apprentice program that is developing to teach locals carpentry.
Director’s Statement
The non-profit Today, I’m Brave and director, Ramón Rodríguez have partnered up to raise awareness about the recovery work HEART 911 is doing in Puerto Rico. Pa’lante (Forward), tells the brave personal stories of the people on the island that were impacted by Hurricanes Irma/Maria and showcases an Apprentice Program led by volunteers that is teaching locals carpentry.
Sustainability is key and something that is vital for the continued progress of Puerto Rico. Being able to empower underserved communities by teaching them a skill such as carpentry allows them to help themselves, their families and their neighbors. Working with local institutions on the island who can continue the work being done is how we plan to sustain and scale this program.
“Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man To Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime.”
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