�Smoke & Mirrors� Debuts at Historic Cunneen-Hackett Theatre, NY - Proceeds Donated to Mentoring Pro

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 15, 2004 -- Poughkeepsie, NY - Independent filmmaker, producer and director Raul Maldonado presents his film �Smoke & Mirrors� at a screening on Saturday, December 4th at 8:00 pm, at the historic Cunneen-Hackett Theater & Cultural Arts Center located at 9 Vassar Street in Poughkeepsie, NY. Tickets are $10 available at the door; call the theatre to confirm times and for directions (845) 486-4571.

With a cast and crew of over 20 including Hudson Valley, NY resident Fabian Stone playing Mirrors as the male lead and Jennifer Pinto portraying Smoke, the female lead, �Smoke & Mirrors� is a story of a decent man driven to violence by a hostile environment, a family living with the reality of an addict father, and a young boy struggling against the temptation of the fast life of the street. The completion and fruition of the film is a dream come true for Maldonado, a former US Marine and Mercy College, NY alumnus. �All of my life experiences, the obstacles I�ve overcome, and even living with my disability have prepared me and led up to the realization of this dream�, says Maldonado.

The film which was written, produced, directed and edited by Maldonado will screen in Poughkeepsie�s Cunneen-Hackett Cultural Arts Center and Theatre located at 9 Vassar Street in Poughkeepsie, NY; a beautiful 100 year old Victorian building in which �Smoke & Mirrors� will be the first screening since it's renovation. For more information on the film or to reach Maldonado, call (973) 818-9965.

Maldonado, who is a firm believer in giving back to the community, will be generously donating the proceeds of the Cuneen-Hackett screening to a local Poughkeepsie non-profit, grassroots organization, GIRLS EMPOWERMENT CLUB, a mentoring program for girls ages 9-15, boasting 50 members strong, where they are taught self-esteem, given homework help, taught leadership and self-empowerment through sports, namely basketball. The head organizer, Allison Miller, created the group after surviving 9/11, and deciding to take her second chance to make a difference and give back to her community. For more information on GIRLS EMPOWERMENT CLUB call (914) 204-5858. It is Maldonado�s and Miller�s hopes that the community at large will turnout for a most worthy cause, and enjoy an evening at the movies as well.