Honest Cheat

Aristides Zamora, a 1st generation immigrant of Nicaragua, is the writer/director/producer and editor for the feature film, "Honest Cheat." Set in the late 2000’s, "Honest Cheat" centers on the self-destructive road a desperate musician takes to achieve his vision during the tectonic shifts of the music industry. Starring a cast predominately of Latinos, "Honest Cheat" is an example of Aristides artistic expression that dynamically exists between naturalism and formalism. This approach by Aristides seeks to transcend the substance and present the audience with a shifting lens, through which the audience can experience more strongly, the emotions and themes of the narrative.

Coming this fall will see the release of the second feature film Aristides has served on as the editor, "Ten Cent Daisy" by Lisbon Okafor. The all black cast of "Ten Cent Daisy" is an exhilarating drama about three St. Lucia sisters refuged in the United States, that must uncover the truth in the fables of their past, in order to save their future generations. Editing this film was an exciting opportunity for Aristides to help bring to light a narrative that takes place in the present while dabbling at the conventions of the fantasy genre.

Prior to this undertaking, Aristides was enlisted by recording artist Brit Manor to direct and edit the music video for the single "Only Child." Staging the cutting of Brit Manors 10 year old dread locks as the centerpiece for the shoot, transformed the subject matter into a rite of passage. With a combination of in-camera optical effects, props and CGI, the final design of the music video is a dazzling illustration of Aristides innate ability to meld the real world and the magical.

Finding familiar avenues to tell different myths in entertaining ways, is one of the driving forces for Aristides to best tell his personal stories. Another equally important focus for Aristides is ensuring that the thought and craftsmanship in how the story is told, is as emotionally rewarding as the message itself. Aristides received a BFA with high distinction in Experimental Film/Video and Performance from the California College of the Arts in San Francisco/Oakland. Since then, Aristides has worked in the advertising landscape as an editor, for over a decade, helping global brands cultivate succinct and comprehensive narratives.