NJ POET PRODUCES "SMOKE & MIRRORS"

Released on = September 14, 2004, 10:10 pm

Press Release Author = Leticia Acosta/LA Public Relations

Press Release Summary = Raul Maldonado - poet, writer, and motivational speaker
expands repertoire to film independent movie, "Smoke & Mirrors" currently shooting
in Yonkers, NY

Press Release Body = Yonkers, NY, September 15, 2004 -- Recent record-breaking
successes of indies Fahrenheit 911, runaway hit Garden State, and Spy Kids movies
have put stars in the eyes of Raul Maldonado, Wayne, NJ resident and NY native.
Maldonado has commenced film production of his screenplay, “SMOKE & MIRRORS”, a
story of a decent man driven to violence by a hostile environment, a family living
with the pain of a drug addicted father, and a young boy struggling against
temptation of the fast life of the street in the urban landscape of Yonkers, NY.

With a crew and cast of over 20 including Fabian Stone playing Mirrors as the male
lead and Jennifer Pinto portraying Smoke, the female lead, “Smoke & Mirrors” is
vaguely reminiscent of Raul’s experiences during his darkest days of drug addiction.
“All of my life experiences, the obstacles I’ve overcome, and even living with my
disability have prepared me and led up to the realization of this dream”, says
Maldonado.

Maldonado is a man who does not know the meaning of the word CAN’T. The first
impression one gets when first meeting this scruffy bearded, curly haired cherub of
a man is anything but the inspired, determined, man-on-a-mission that he really is.
By all accounts Maldonado should not have lived to accomplish all he has done and
pursue his filmmaking dreams.

Having survived a serious, near fatal accident by a drunk driver years ago that left
him disabled, conquered a ten year drug addiction, undergone over 15 surgeries, he
now is dealing with diabetes. Yet in spite of such adversity Maldonado would not
despair and has accomplished more since 2001 than most of us would in a lifetime.

He has published several books including THIS AIN’T NO POCKET DIARY (2001)-a journal
of his drug addiction years; BLUE ANGELS; and most recently, THE COMPANY WE KEEP
(2003), an anthology of poetry, including submitted works by poets Dr. Jimmy
Santiago Baca, and Maria Maziotti Gillan.

Maldonado has performed time and time again in the famed NUYORICAN POETS CAFÉ in
NYC, produced a CD, a video entitled URBAN TROUBADORS, among other projects. He has
succeeded in the motivational speaking circuit to countless students at colleges and
universities, and even makes time in his busy schedule to volunteer for Literacy
Volunteers of America.

When asked what’s next on the horizon, Maldonado states, "I really want to continue
public speaking-motivate people to pursue their dreams. Hey, if I can reach my
goals, even with a disability, imagine what others can accomplish if they only tap
into their potential. I also want to continue filmmaking and have already started
another film project. God has kept me around for a reason, and I’m gonna keep on
goin’ until he brings me home.”

“Smoke & Mirrors” will end shooting at the end of September. Call 973.818.9965 to
have him speak your organization or school. For more on the movie, log onto
www.poetwarriors.org

Web Site = http://www.lapublicrelations.com

Contact Details = Leticia Acosta
LA Public Relations, Inc.
5 Passaic Avenue
Passaic, NJ 07055
973.818.9965
lacosta@lapublicrelations.com
fax 973.779.2794