-From John Priddy

Just the other day (wearing my sweet Bose headset) I watched Nick Ozeki’s “Mamitas” on my laptop. The audio and cinematography were so amazing, and they brought back vivid memories of the sights, sounds and rhythms of the Latino neighborhood where I grew up. Ozeki’s craft provides a strong element of sensory excellence that transported me both in place and time — I found myself smack dab in the middle of the Echo Park barrio, and reminded of the challenges of adolescence.

I wondered why I hadn’t picked up on these things before, given that the audio and visual presentation at the Directors Guild theater in Hollywood is as good as it gets. But then I remembered that I was a presenter at the 2007 Angelus Student Film Festival and was busy with my after-presentation duties (photos, interviews, a small glass of Pinot …) while “Mamitas” screened and Ozeki received the $10,000 Excellence in Filmmaking award.

The first time I actually saw “Mamitas” was at “Casa del Cinema di Villa Borghese” during the 2008 Angelus/Windrider Forum in Rome, on an evening in which we viewed four unbelievable films, all with Italian sub-titles. I remember wondering whether an Italian audience would be able to understand Ozeki’s barrio story. Could they connect? Would they be able to capture its rhythms despite the language barrier?

Then Nedo Pozzi, director of NetOne International, stood up. He and his organization were our hosts in Rome. On this occasion, Pozzi remarked (through an interpreter) on the quality of all the films — not only their cinematic excellence, but also their powerful, moving narratives. Then, he pointed to Ozeki and said, “but your film was my favorite.”

From the barrio to the big screen to a classic cinema house in Rome, and through the lens of a laptop, “Mamitas” translates perfectly.

Thank you, Nick Ozeki!