Benjamin Bratt Instagram – The world shifted yesterday. I received the shocking news that my beloved brother Leon Ichaso had passed away. Disbelief, now waves of grief have given way to this new reality without him in it. Instinct would have me process this sadness in private. But Leon wouldn’t have that, he’d much prefer I shout his name from the rooftops, and of course he’d deserve that. He quite literally changed my life.
The man was unique in the way he approached the world. There was a lively curiosity to him, a twinkle in the eye that hinted of mischief and knowing, a survivor’s wink that told you he had been to hell and back and probably enjoyed it. He had a deep passion for poetry and music, and his films —inspired by the work of his heroes, Miles, Monk, and Coltrane—were pure jazz, respectful of compositional structure, but most alive when he played outside the lines, riffing, daring you to follow along. As a director, he quickly became my mentor and a source of inspiration; his utter faith in my ability never faltered even when mine did. He loved his actors, understood our delicate temperament, and nurtured a trust that would embolden you to walk out on a wire with no net. He was the net, and it was very easy to love him back for this.
Leon was my brother, my surrogate father, my confidante, and my Cupid. Talisa and I met on Piñero, the life-altering film from which he not only managed to coax our best work, but an eventual walk down the aisle. Two decades and two children later, he is forever a part of our family, and we do not know what we will do without him.
Link in bio | Posted on 24/May/2023 07:24:35
