From Central High to Cannes: Manny Perez' Newest Film Introduced in France

From Central High to Cannes: Manny Perez' Newest Film Introduced in France

In January 2022, GoLocalProv interviewed Central High School graduate Manny Perez about his movie 'La Soga Salvation.'

As GoLocal reported, “Perez directs and stars in the feature film. This is Perez's directing debut and the film was shot in Providence and Pawtucket, but it is not a movie to be confused with HBO's new series the Gilded Age. La Soga Salvation is tough, raw, and action-filled. The movie will also be available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime.”

Now, a major film company is pitching Perez' "Vengeance: A La Soga Story" at the preeminent film festival in the world — Cannes. 

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“Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment has started shopping the crime-focused action thriller, now in post-production, to foreign buyers in Cannes, with Perez set to play La Soga, the Dominican Republic’s most dangerous hitman who returns home to fight corruption, only to be targeted by assassins,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

“It’s a pleasure and an honor to be working with Clay and his team at Film Mode Entertainment. It’s been a long journey, carrying this story through, but I am thrilled and excited for its outcome. I know my film is in good hands,” Perez said in a statement.

The Hollywood Reporter continued: 

“We’re thrilled to be working with the talented, multi-hyphenate threat that is Manny Perez. His film is both engaging and entertaining, while also incredibly relevant in today’s climate. This is sure to resonate with audiences worldwide,” Film Mode’s Epstein said in a statement about the thrill-ride pic introduced at Cannes.

The filmmakers have begun discussions on a U.S. sale as they handle the domestic rights to 'Vengeance: A La Soga Story.'

Film Mode’s recent titles include Mayim Bialik’s feature directorial debut, As They Made Us, starring Dustin Hoffman, Candice Bergen, Simon Helberg and Dianna Agron; Crypto, led by Kurt Russell, Luke Hemsworth and Alexis Bledel; and Stage Mother, starring Jacki Weaver, Lucy Liu and Adrian Grenier

 

More About Perez 

“I always wanted to act, I was the clown in the family -- always," Perez told GoLocal. "When I came to this country I had to learn English. So then, when I sort of had the grasp on the English language is when I decided to join Trinity Arts Center which is on Broad Street. On weekends there was children’s theater so I went there and just loved every moment of being in the place."

Perez also cites the influence of a teacher at Central High School for having a major impact.

“I actually had this teacher Miss Milano who's still around I think…we used to read Shakespeare on Fridays and Ed [Cooley] was in my class at that time, just so you know," said Perez of being in class with another Rhode Island success story -- Providence College men's basketball coach Ed Cooley. "Then she's like ‘Hey man you should pursue [acting].' We were reading Othello."

After graduating from Central, Perez went to college for theater at Marymount Manhattan College and it was there he began to receive his formal training and connections in the industry.

“Well, I gotta say this -- this career, this industry, is not easy," said Perez. "It's not an overnight thing. You do have to do your work and prepare yourself for that one day, that one audition, that one opportunity and make sure that you are prepared with your craft."

 

WATCH THE 2022 INTERVIEW HERE