Andre Royo is set to debut his upcoming feature film Calloused Hands at the 30th Miami International Film Festival.
Calloused Hands is described as a gritty and hard-hitting drama telling the coming-of-age story of Josh, a 12-year-old mixed race boy growing up in Miami who shows promise as a baseball player. He is abused by his mother’s boyfriend Byrd, and neglected by his mother Debbie. He manages to forge his own path when his estranged grandfather insists he study for his Bar Mitzvah.
The film is largely based on the tumultuous life of Jesse Quinones, the 31-year-old writer and director of the project.
“Calloused Hands is deeply personal and a long time in the making,” Jesse said. “I started working on it 12-years-ago. It is truly a labor of love. And I only hope that people will be touched by this story.”
Andre, who plays the lead role of Byrd, is also one of the producers on the project. “What attracted me to Calloused Hands first and foremost was the passion and fearlessness Jesse expressed about the story,” Andre said. “It takes great courage to open up about ones own childhood and the abuse they suffered. It seemed like a therapeutic and theatrical experience not only for Jesse, but also for myself as a father. It was exactly what we needed at that moment in time.”
Calloused Hands also stars Daisy Haggard (Showtime’s Episodes), Hans Howes (There Will Be Blood), and features a breakout performance from 14-year-old teenage actor Luca Oriel.
Mr Royo continued: “People should see Calloused Hands because it’s an intense, heart felt, and honest story about the pursuit of perfection. This is a compelling drama that shows the power of self reflection and a true examination of purpose in parenting.”
The Miami International Film Festival runs from March 1 – 10, 2013.
Watch the trailer below:
Calloused Hands Trailer from Woolfcub on Vimeo.