Regarded as a top cult film, Scarface holds a powerful legacy in the cinematic world and for Miami-based director Aaron Salgado.
“Scarface isn’t just a film to me. It’s my childhood, part of my culture, and woven into the fabric of my community,” Salgado, the writer and director of the fan film Montana, shares. “I think I was around seven when I first saw the film. By the time I reached adolescence, the double VHS basically lived inside my family’s VCR.
Montana, produced by Only In Dade, tells the story of Antonio “Tony” Montana’s legacy 40 years later. The movie follows Tony’s son, played by JenCarlos Canela, as he navigates the weight of his father’s legacy, criminal empire and allegiances.
“Jen is my boy. We met in L.A. about seven years ago and immediately clicked,” Salgado shares. “We’ve been trying to find a project to do together for years, and when I created Montana, I knew he was the perfect heir to Tony’s empire. On top of having the right look and presence, Jen also has a ton of talent. We were well aware that we were taking on the huge task of creating a Scarface fan film, but with Jen anchoring the project, we knew we were in good hands.”
Inspired by television shows Cobra Kai and Morgan Cooper’s Bel-Air, Salgado notes his passion for the fan film format as a way to pay homage to the original films and shows.
“I think the remix culture is creatively liberating, and I was eager to contribute,” he shares. “When I set out to write the script for Montana, I had already seen Scarface so many times that I knew exactly how to continue the storyline.”
Filming across South Florida neighborhoods such as Hialeah, Little Havana and North Bay Village, Salgado notes he and his team recreated the world of Scarface while implementing some of his favorite details only true fans will notice.
“There are 12 references to the original film in Montana—ranging from music, photos, trinkets and dialogue. Currently, the only person to identify them is my co-founder in Palmetto Pictures, Mike Risco,” he says. “There are a couple of references in there that you won’t catch with only one viewing.”
Celebrating Scarface’s 40th anniversary, Salgado hopes that Montana’s viewers rediscover their love for the titular film.
“We want fans to celebrate with us and enjoy it. We had a lot of fun with the material and want viewers to do the same,” he says. “I want them to go back, watch the original film, fall in love with it again, rewatch Montana, and tell us if we did well or totally ruined it. Either way, we’re happy and honored that we were able to pay respect to the film that is synonymous with our city.
Montana is available exclusively on Only In Dade’s YouTube channel.
Photography by: Photo Courtesy Aaron Salgado
