A BURNING DESIRE TO SPEAK OUT
Three gay men, Jose, Charlie, and Rig, plagued by trauma of their own, undergo an emotional journey toward healing to become resilient, overcome their past, and finally speak out.
In a world where silence is often forced upon the most painful of stories, "Speaking Out" shines a light on the transformative power of voice and healing. This compelling narrative intertwines the lives of three courageous individuals—Jose, Rig, and Charlie—each bearing the weight of their own dark traumas, yet bound by a common journey towards recovery.
Through sit-down interviews, "Speaking Out" lays bare the complex layers of tragedy these men have endured, highlighting not just the darkness of their experiences, but the resilience of their spirit. Their paths to healing, marked by self-discovery and professional support, underscore the importance of confronting and vocalizing trauma.
As Jose, Rig, and Charlie bravely share their stories, they challenge the silence that often surrounds such experiences, offering hope and solidarity to others with similar stories. "Speaking Out" is not just a testament to the strength of its subjects, but a call to action for society to listen, understand, and support those who are ready to break the silence and heal.
John Solis
(Director / Producer)
Raised in the ultraconservative bubble of Orange County, John Solis fell enamored with film through a lavish gift from his low-income mom: a beta player with two horror movies, A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Exorcist. Within minutes, he was fascinated by all there was to see: the sets, the costumes, the story. He knew that film, in whatever role he could partake in, was his natural calling. At the age of fifteen, his parents become involved in the Mexican entertainment industry as producers, and, in turn, he became a child actor in low-budget Spanish-speaking action films. By twenty one, he had headlined over fifty films and became a household name in the action genre of the Mexican screen.
But, with the twists and turns of life, shadowed by an unspoken trauma that changed his course of existence, John took a break from the industry just to lead himself to a similar, but more creative pathway years later: directing. Putting himself through Los Angeles Film School as a way to further learn the ropes, going from in front of the camera to behind, he knew his don was to create, to humanize, to storytell. And, it was destiny to find himself as Director and Producer of Speaking Out, a documentary that has overcome trauma in exchange for beauty, compassion, and healing.
To this day, John continues living in Los Angeles, right next to the Academy Museum, with his trusty one-eyed dog named Bice. He’s always on the hunt for a long-gone beta player and his next film project.
John Solis and Keelan Carothers at the Olympic pool in Tijuana, BC filming a scene for Rig's story.
Keelan Carothers and Chris Boulos with director John Solis underneath the Rosarito Pier.
Keelan Carothers getting the shot.
John Solis and Victor de la Torre on set for Charlie’s story.
Alfredo, the film's Grip, on fire watch duty, while we got shots of the ocean waves.
John Solis conversing with the Directory of Photogeaphy, Keelan Carothers, about the shot.
Director John Solis and his crew wrapping up Matthias James Barker
IMPULSE GRP. PRESENTS A BRIGHTBULB STUDIOS IN ASSOCIATION WITH AHF IN ASSOCIATION WITH CABALDANA ALCHEMY
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JOSE RAMOS CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS MIGUEL ANGEL CABALLERO & LUIS ANTONIO ALDANA
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY KEELAN CAROTHERS EDITOR JASON ZENI COMPOSER & SOUND MIXER GUILLERMO SILBERTEIN
PRODUCED BY JOHN SOLIS PRODUCER ROXY AMEZQUITA& VICTOR DE LA TORRE DIRECTED BY JOHN SOLIS
World Premiere:
LA Latino International Film Festival
Saturday, June 1 — 3:45 PM (PST)
TCL Chinese Theater, Hollywood
Premiere Events
How do you feel about the world premiere of ‘Speaking Out’ at LALIFF?