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By Maria Esteves - October 1, 2009

Franc. Reyes is a songwriter, choreographer, dancer, scriptwriter, and film director. His songs have charted on the Billboard Magazine’s Top 40 list and in films. In 2002, Universal Pictures released director Reyes first major film “EMPIRE,” and his second feature film "ILLEGAL TENDER," in 2007. Reyes latest film "THE MINISTERS," is set to premiere in New York, Friday, October 16, 2009. I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Franc Reyes in New York, on Tuesday, September 15, 2009.

THE MINISTERS is truly a psychological, spiritual, urban thriller set in the Bronx, New York, during the historical 1970s the Bronx is burning era (burning of residential buildings in the South Bronx).  

THE MINISTERS, written/directed by Franc. Reyes | Feature Drama | USA | 2009 | English | 2008 New York International Latino Film Festival; opens in New York, Friday, October 16, 2009. 

ME:  What inspired the making of the film "THE MINISTERS?"

FR:  The inspiration of the film came about an evening while feeling a bit under the weather and watching the news on television concerning a burning building in the South Bronx, New York. Property owners were burning buildings for insurance purpose. That's where I grew up. In 1999, I began writing a story about three brothers vengeful journey after loosing their parents and home from those fires.

ME:  Is the film based on true events?

FR:  Loosely, the film is a fictitious story inspired by true events. 

ME:  What was your greatest challenge in making "THE MINISTERS?"

FR:  The greatest challenge was raising the finance to make the movie.

ME:  How long did it take to make the film?

FR: From 1999 to 2009, I worked on multiple projects. In 2002, "Empire" was released.  In 2007, "Illegal Tender" was released. I wrote a few screenplays in Hollywood and worked feverishly to complete THE MINISTERS.

ME:  When will THE MINISTERS open in theaters?

FR:  THE MINISTERS opens in New York, Friday, October 16, 2009.  

Thank you, Franc.

For more information, please visit: http://www.theministersmovie.com