Losing Lalo
A soldier grappling with post-war normalcy makes a decision that devastates his family and fellow veterans as they must imagine the unimaginable, a life without him.
Multi-award winning, writer, director and producer, Cedric Thomas Smith, is a San Antonio native whose journey into film began in 2010 with a short film on LGBT domestic violence that he’d written, “Unimaginable”. Cedric began directing his own works with films that have won over 40 film festival awards including “The Symphony of Silence” and “Melissa” (both examine the epidemic of teen bullying), the feature film version of “Unimaginable” and “Breaking Brokenness”, which is about the pattern of abuse wrapped up in secrets and lies within a family. Cedric continues to write, direct, and produce films that entertain yet give voice to those that feel voiceless including his latest film, “Losing Lalo” which examines the loss of a veteran to suicide and the impact it has on his family and fellow veterans.
If we are lucky, a project presents itself that will leave a major impact on us. “Losing Lalo”, a film on veteran suicide, is that film for me. As creatives, it is important that we make art that feels right for us from inception to reception. Everything else is a beautiful bonus. That is the lesson I learned from “Losing Lalo”.
Award-winning actor, Johnny Rey Diaz (“Primo”. “Grey’s Anatomy”), came on board to play Lalo. His embodiment of “Lalo” is heartbreaking and haunting. He leads a diverse cast that at any given moment can break your heart. It was an absolute honor to direct this talented cast.
Thank you so much for your consideration!