NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Montefiore’s short film Corazón will be making its world premiere during the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, April 20, at 7:00 p.m. at the iPic Theaters at Fulton Market. Starring Academy Award® nominee Demian Bichir (A Better Life, The Hateful Eight, Alien: Covenant, Savages) and actress Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049, Hands of Stone), directed by John Hillcoat (The Road, The Proposition), written by Kelley Sane (Rendition), shot by Academy Award® nominated director of photography Bradford Young (Solo: A Star Wars Story, Arrival, Selma) and composed by Academy Award® winner Atticus Ross (The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Leopold Ross and Claudia Same, Corazón is a powerful, emotional and gorgeously rendered 48-minute short film based on a real-life doctor patient story. The film, presented by Montefiore, selected as a finalist for the Tribeca X award, is a Serial Pictures and JohnXHannes New York production.
“We knew we had to find a way to capture the power at the heart of a true patient story. We went looking for partners with a reputation for exceptional storytelling and the vision to create something that would compel people to act. Our search led us first to Emmy Award®-winning agency JohnXHannes New York. Serial Pictures was then brought to the project, and we were ecstatic to have John Hillcoat onboard to direct this extraordinary story in a way that would leave a lasting impact with every audience,” said Loreen Babcock, Chief Marketing Officer of Montefiore.
Corazón depicts the story of Elena Ramirez (de Armas), a young Dominican woman living in Santo Domingo who is selling her body to provide for her family — only Elena’s body is failing her. Elena has a bad heart and has been given months to live unless she gets a new heart. After fainting, Elena meets a U.S.-based cardiologist, Dr. Mario Garcia (Bichir), who is volunteering in his native hometown of Santo Domingo. Elena is past the point of help from conventional medicine, but Dr. Garcia gives her a fighting chance to live via a mechanical heart surgery that he and his colleagues can only perform at Montefiore in the Bronx. Elena sets out on a journey from Santo Domingo to New York City, facing challenges along the way, but always motivated by her conviction to live. This is a story of chance, hope, courage, friendship, love and generosity.
“Meeting the real people behind this remarkable story and feeling the genuine compassion of the key doctors involved was so impactful,” said director John Hillcoat. “They were in it for all the right reasons — fighting for human life itself.”
While embracing human compassion, Corazón is also a call to action. There are currently 115,000 patients in the U.S. who are waiting for a life-saving organ donation. But less than half will actually receive one. Twenty-two people die every day, because there simply aren’t enough organs. April is National Donate Life Month, and Montefiore Health System — in partnership with Donate Life — is launching #GiveYourHeart, asking the people to become donors.
“Corazón brings to light the experience that sadly thousands of families face…the journey to a new heart as well as other organs. Elena like all mechanical heart recipients still needs a heart donation. We hope this film will inspire viewers to become organ donors and #GiveYourHeart,” says David Fleming, Donate Life America President & CEO.
“‘Doing More’ is the heart of Montefiore, and Corazón is an extension of that message. We’re using this film as a vehicle to bring awareness to the need for organ donors, which is why we decided to partner with Donate Life and intentionally make #GiveYourHeart the key takeaway from the film,” added Babcock.
Corazón will debut during the Tribeca Film Festival:
- Friday, April 20: Corazón World Premiere: iPic Theaters Fulton Market (11 Fulton Street, New York), 6:00 p.m. ET (panel Q&A and VIP reception to follow)
- Sunday, April 22: Public screenings of Corazón: iPic Theaters at Fulton Market, 5:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.
- Monday April 23: Corazón debuts online: corazonfilm.com
For Corazón trailer, film details, assets and more information, please visit www.corazonfilm.com
About Montefiore Health System:
Montefiore Health System is one of New York’s premier academic health systems and is a recognized leader in providing exceptional quality and personalized, accountable care to approximately three million people in communities across the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. It is comprised of 10 hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and close to 200 outpatient care sites. The advanced clinical and translational research at its medical school, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, directly informs patient care and improves outcomes. From the Montefiore-Einstein Centers of Excellence in cancer, cardiology and vascular care, pediatrics, and transplantation, to its preeminent school-based health program, Montefiore is a fully integrated healthcare delivery system providing coordinated, comprehensive care to patients and their families. For more information please visit www.montefiore.org. Follow us on Twitter and view us on Facebook and YouTube.
About the 2018 Tribeca X Award:
The Tribeca X Award is a juried award for storytelling supported by a brand recognizing the intersection of advertising and entertainment. The Tribeca X Award is open to all work produced between January 2017 and March 2018 funded with support of a brand in collaboration with artists or filmmakers. The top projects will be highlighted by the Tribeca Film Festival, and a jury will award the winning selection during the Festival.