William Douglas Lansford’s Adios, East Los tells the story of three Chicano teens who cross East L.A.’s mythic Fourth Street Bridge in hopes of conquering the rich "gringo" world on the other side. A longtime network television writer, Lansford, who turns 77 this summer, boasts one of the more compelling first-time director backstories. A Mexican-American L.A. native, he spent five years in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and was awarded a Purple Heart before seguing into nine years as a commissioned officer in the army’s 11th Airborne Division. He parlayed that wealth of experience into five published books, some 300 articles and short stories for national magazines, and a number of plays written and directed for regional theater groups. "Directing seemed like the next logical step," he says.

Adios, East Los follows our teen heros as, inspired by their favorite swashbuckler movies, they embark on a great adventure culminating in a fairy tale voyage aboard a "borrowed" sailboat to a seemingly deserted island. Romance complicates their journey as the two boys in the trio both fall in love with their younger and sometimes wiser partner. "These are kids who've grown up 20 minutes from the beach but have never seen it" says Langsford, who was raised in East L.A. "They just want to break out and see what the world is like."

Adios, East Los was shot in East L.A., Marina del Rey, on nearby Santa Cruz Island and aboard the 44-foot ship Dreamweaver over 18 days last fall; the film is 35mm color. Star Maps-discovery Douglas Spain, Eddie Alcazar (Boy Meets World) and Simi (Grand Ave.) play the kids. The filmmakers are currently navigating the final stages of post-production; all rights are available.

Cast: Douglas Spain, Simi, Eddie Alcazar, Jim Brewer, Dana Lee, Ruben Garfias, Evelina Fernandez, Pete Moraga Jr. Special Appearance by Bill Zuckert. Crew: Producers, Christopher J. Kinsman, Andi Armaganian; Executive Producer/Screenwriter/Director, William Douglas Lansford; Cinematographer, Charles Schner; Editors, Armaganian, Kinsman, Matthew Lansford. Contact: W.D. Lansford, Eldorado Entertainment, 6953 Trolley Way, Playa del Rey, CA 90293. Tel: (310) 823-1097, Fax: (310) 821-1419

Adios, East Los - William Douglas Lansford
Adventures of a Catholic Atheist - John Mendoza
Bullfighter - Rune Bendixen
The Citizen - Jay Anania
Hit and Runway - Christopher Livingston
Jesus’ Son - Alison Maclean
The Photographer - Jeremy Stein
Wang Dang - Tom Noonan
The Young Unknowns - Catherine Jelski