THE DEAD ONE 

Director: Brian Cox
Year:  2007
Duration:  90 min.
Country:  United States United States
Screenplay:  Brian Cox (Comic: Javier Hernández)
Music:  Tony Humecke, Martin Espino
Photography:  Steve Yedlin
Distribution:  Wilmer Valderrama, Angie Cepeda, Joel David Moore, Tony Plana,  
Michael Parks, Billy Drago, María Conchita Alonso
Producer:  Peninsula Films / Three Lion Productions
Gender:  Horror, Fantasy
 
The official premiere took place on March 1, 2007 at the Latino Film Festival in San Diego, California, with a direct-to-DVD release scheduled for September 18, 2007, followed by subsequent screenings in New York and San Diego.
 
The film "El Muerto" fuses images from the rich mythology of ancient Mexico with the Latino-influenced culture of the United States today. Starring an incredible cast that includes Wilmar Valderrama, Tony Plana, María Conchita Alonso, and Angie Cepeda.
 
Centuries ago, the Aztec empire of Mexico was conquered by the Spanish. Horrified by their religious practices, the Spanish dedicated themselves to converting the native population to Catholicism, declaring war on the Aztec religion. According to an ancient prophecy, the Aztecs and their religion would return to a dominant position in a time known as the Sixth Sun.
 
Trapped in a purgatory between this world and the next, 21-year-old Diego (Wilmer Valderrama) wanders the streets of Los Angeles in search of a human sacrifice for the Aztec gods who control his soul.  Diego must fight against the same gods who created him in order to save the woman he loves, María (Angie Cepeda).
 
Tony Plana is Aparicio, an older Chicano man and caretaker of the local cemetery who befriends Diego after witnessing his powers and acts as his mentor.