By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
What was once lost to time is now getting its chance to shine on the silver screen.
“The Long Game,” based on the book, “Mustang Miracle,” by Del Rio native and San Felipe High School graduate Humberto Garcia, arrives in Del Rio’s theaters this afternoon. It tells the story of the San Felipe High School golf team – Mario Lomas, Joe Trevino, Lupe Felan, Felipe Romero and Gene Vasquez – and how they overcome a myriad of obstacles to win the 1957 Class A Texas State High School championship by 35 strokes.
All eight screens at Cinemark Movies 8 will show the film today beginning at noon. Screenings will also take place at 12:10, 12:20 and 12:30. According to IMDB.com, the film’s run time is one hour, 46 minutes. Tickets have been available to the public through Eventbrite this week but about 400 seats were allotted for members of the San Felipe Exes.
Prior to the start of each screening, some special guests will introduce the film to the audience. Expected to attend the screenings are “The Long Game” Director Julio Quintana, actor Julian Works, who portrays Trevino; actor Christian Gallegos, who portrays Mario Lomas; and Garcia, who is also credited as one of the writers of the film. According to City of Del Rio representatives, each screening will have a different group introduce the film.
There is currently no timeline as to when the guests will arrive at the theater.
Following the screenings, a pep rally will be held at the San Felipe Memorial Middle School’s front lawn featuring a question and answer session with cast and crew from the film. The pep rally is expected to begin around 3 p.m. and will continue until about 3:45 p.m. The pep rally is free and open to the public.
All of these activities are being funded through donations and sponsorships from area businesses. According to city representatives, no city funds are being used for these events.
The film debuted at Austin’s South by Southwest in 2023, earning the SXSW Narrative Spotlight Audience Award in the process. Executively produced by world boxing champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, the film also stars Dennis Quaid as Frank Mitchell, Jay Hernandez as coach J.B. Pena, Cheech Marin as Pollo, Jose Julian as Felan, Miguel Angel Garcia as Romero, and Gregory Diaz IV as Vasquez.
Persons who will be unable to attend the film today will get another chance when it debuts nationwide on April 12.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
