Faces to watch 2003

Eva Mendes

Actress

She caught our eye playing Denzel Washington’s girlfriend in “Training Day,” directed by Antoine Fuqua. Now they’re set to team up again in MGM’s fall thriller “Out of Time,” with Mendes playing Washington’s love interest but in a more substantial, profile-raising role. The 25-year-old Cuban American actress, who started out doing commercials, also will star in “Once Upon a Time in Mexico,” opposite Antonio Banderas and Johnny Depp. It’s the final chapter in director Robert Rodriguez’s trilogy, which started with “El Mariachi.” And she’s in Universal’s summer sequel “The Fast and the Furious 2.” Her sultry looks and sassy demeanor are reminiscent of the first “The Fast and the Furious” female lead -- Michelle Rodriguez, one of the few Latin actresses to land major roles in blockbusters. Mendes may be next.

Lorenza Munoz

*

Leonardo Nam

Actor

Nam was born in Argentina and grew up in Australia. His Korean parents are in the fashion business, his brother dances in London, and his sister writes books in Africa. How could Nam not become an actor? The 23-year-old makes his studio film debut in March’s “The Perfect Score,” a tale of six high school students who filch the answers to the SAT. As Roy, a loner who joins the heist, Nam also steals the movie. “When I came to L.A. to audition for the part, I had $30 in my bank account,” says Nam, who now lives in New York but no longer tends bar. “I couldn’t afford to tip the driver when he dropped me off at Paramount. So when he opened the door, I just ran.”

-- John Horn

*

Rodrigo Prieto

Cinematographer

Prieto has been a key part of the new wave of Mexican cinema, thanks to his work on such films as “Amores Perros” and “Sobrenatural” (All of Them Witches). But in the past few months, he’s emerged as one of the hottest young cinematographers in Hollywood, helping create a dazzling visual look for such films as Julie Taymor’s “Frida,” Curtis Hanson’s “8 Mile” and Spike Lee’s “25th Hour.” The 37-year-old cinematographer, who splits his time between Los Angeles and Cuernavaca, Mexico, is back at work with “Amores Perros” director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu on a new film, “21 Grams.” Co-starring Sean Penn, Naomi Watts and Benicio Del Toro, the film will be released later next year. Prieto has also shot a documentary about Fidel Castro, directed by Oliver Stone, that is slated for release by HBO next year. He and Stone plan to work together on “Alexander the Great,” starring Colin Farrell, which could begin filming sometime next year.

-- Patrick Goldstein