Selena Quintanilla, "Queen of Tejano Music", had a net worth of $5 million at the time of her tragic death in 1995. Her money was managed by her father, leading to a legal battle between her husband and family over her estate. Selena, a confident Aries, is celebrated nationwide every year on her birthday, April 16, by fans.
Selena Quintanilla, "Queen of Tejano Music", the "Tejano Madonna", and arguably one of the greatest Latino artists of all time, had a net worth to match, one that she tragically never got to fully put to use. Known simply as "Selena", the popstar from Texas was a music sensation, with several Spanish-language hits, including "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom," "Amor Prohibido," and "Como La Flor," songs which made her a crossover hit Spanish and English-speaking fans loved. Tragically, Selena's life was cut short when she was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldvar on March 31, 1995.
She had...
Selena Quintanilla, "Queen of Tejano Music", the "Tejano Madonna", and arguably one of the greatest Latino artists of all time, had a net worth to match, one that she tragically never got to fully put to use. Known simply as "Selena", the popstar from Texas was a music sensation, with several Spanish-language hits, including "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom," "Amor Prohibido," and "Como La Flor," songs which made her a crossover hit Spanish and English-speaking fans loved. Tragically, Selena's life was cut short when she was shot and killed by Yolanda Saldvar on March 31, 1995.
She had...
- 03/06/2024
- por Zachary Moser
- ScreenRant
Salma Hayek gets a lot of attention for her stunning looks, but her oeuvre proves she's a versatile and formidable actress. From action to drama to comedy, Hayek takes on every role with consummate aplomb. Her talent has garnered Oscar, Golden Globe, and Emmy award nominations.
Hayek started her acting career in the novela "Un Nuevo Amanecer" in the late-1980s. She then appeared in television shows, including "Teresa," "Street Justice," and "Dream On." She made her big screen debut with 1993's "Mi Vida Loca," portraying Gata -- a small yet memorable role. Her feature film debut led to bigger and bigger parts, leading her to become one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. While the 1990s saw her cultivate a reputation as a sex symbol, she's since lent her impressive acting chops to a wide range of films, such as experimental indie flicks, superhero blockbusters, and everything in between.
Hayek started her acting career in the novela "Un Nuevo Amanecer" in the late-1980s. She then appeared in television shows, including "Teresa," "Street Justice," and "Dream On." She made her big screen debut with 1993's "Mi Vida Loca," portraying Gata -- a small yet memorable role. Her feature film debut led to bigger and bigger parts, leading her to become one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. While the 1990s saw her cultivate a reputation as a sex symbol, she's since lent her impressive acting chops to a wide range of films, such as experimental indie flicks, superhero blockbusters, and everything in between.
- 29/04/2023
- por Joe Garza
- Slash Film
The EPs and stars of Selena: The Series gathered for a virtual Atx panel on Saturday, to reflect on their tribute to music and fashion icon, Selena Quintanilla.
“Selena forever!” said creator and executive producer Moisés Zamora, who noted that making this show was a “once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
Returning with its second and final set of episodes in May, Selena: The Series followed the late Mexican-American singer from her childhood through her rise to fame, as the most successful female Latin artist of all time, watching as she and her family were forced to make life-altering choices, during her journey to the top.
Creatives from the show joining Zamora for today’s pre-recorded conversation were EP Jaime Dávila, Christian Serratos, who portrayed Selena, and actor Ricardo Chavira, who played her father, Abraham.
During the conversation, Zamora further touched on the outsized impact the musician had before her untimely death, at age 23, and following it,...
“Selena forever!” said creator and executive producer Moisés Zamora, who noted that making this show was a “once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
Returning with its second and final set of episodes in May, Selena: The Series followed the late Mexican-American singer from her childhood through her rise to fame, as the most successful female Latin artist of all time, watching as she and her family were forced to make life-altering choices, during her journey to the top.
Creatives from the show joining Zamora for today’s pre-recorded conversation were EP Jaime Dávila, Christian Serratos, who portrayed Selena, and actor Ricardo Chavira, who played her father, Abraham.
During the conversation, Zamora further touched on the outsized impact the musician had before her untimely death, at age 23, and following it,...
- 14/06/2021
- por Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Selena Quintanilla Perez is a name etched in pop culture history, known to many as the subject of the 1997 biopic starring Jennifer Lopez as much as she is known to several generations of Latinx girls. Her tragic death — murdered at the age of 23 — enhances this mythos, a fact often enhanced by what both the “Selena” feature and Netflix’s new series situate as a “we should have seen it coming” undercurrent. “Selena: The Series” no doubt will inspire a new generation of Selena fans, but the story it tells over its first nine episode is one that feels highly sanitized, controlled and, ultimately, upsetting.
“Selena: The Series” certainly knows what it wants to say — that it’s leading lady was a good girl, a brilliant singer, and a woman on the cutting edge of the music scene who would have created a revolution if given the chance. Unfortunately, by putting...
“Selena: The Series” certainly knows what it wants to say — that it’s leading lady was a good girl, a brilliant singer, and a woman on the cutting edge of the music scene who would have created a revolution if given the chance. Unfortunately, by putting...
- 04/12/2020
- por Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
Selena was an international music sensation, a Latina phenomenon who filled stadiums and won a Grammy. But before all that, she was a child singing in her family’s band, and that era is where Netflix’s Selena: The Series spends most of its premiere.
In a moment, we’ll want to hear what you thought about the bio-drama’s premiere, which began streaming (along with the rest of the nine-episode first season) on Friday. But first, a quick recap:
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In a moment, we’ll want to hear what you thought about the bio-drama’s premiere, which began streaming (along with the rest of the nine-episode first season) on Friday. But first, a quick recap:
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- 04/12/2020
- por Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
Time to get your bidi bidi bom boms in order: Netflix’s bio-series about international singing sensation Selena begins streaming Friday.
The nine-episode first season of Selena: The Series chronicles the early life of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, who began her entertainment career as lead singer in her family’s band but achieved stardom as one of the best-selling Latin artists of the 1990s. Even if you’ve never crooned hits like “Como La Flor” or “I Could Fall in Love” as you pretended your hairbrush were a microphone, you likely are aware that Selena’s life — and rocketing career — were...
The nine-episode first season of Selena: The Series chronicles the early life of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, who began her entertainment career as lead singer in her family’s band but achieved stardom as one of the best-selling Latin artists of the 1990s. Even if you’ve never crooned hits like “Como La Flor” or “I Could Fall in Love” as you pretended your hairbrush were a microphone, you likely are aware that Selena’s life — and rocketing career — were...
- 03/12/2020
- por Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
'Selena: The Series' trailer is out now and it gives us a closer look into the life of the iconic singer Selena Quintanilla.
On Monday, Netflix released the full trailer for the upcoming biopic series which will drop during the holiday season.
In the two-minute trailer, actress Christian Serratos (The Walking Dead) plays the titular character in various stages of her career, from the early days of her career, as the Quintanilla family works to launch their band with Selena on vocals, Suzette Quintanilla on drums and A.B. Quintanilla on bass until her tragic death at age 23.
“With this series, viewers will finally get the full history of Selena, our family, and the impact she has had on all of our lives,” Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla said in a statement.
'Selena: The Series' follows the 1997 Jennifer Lopez-starring hit film which chronicled the singer's life.
The series is reportedly divided in two parts,...
On Monday, Netflix released the full trailer for the upcoming biopic series which will drop during the holiday season.
In the two-minute trailer, actress Christian Serratos (The Walking Dead) plays the titular character in various stages of her career, from the early days of her career, as the Quintanilla family works to launch their band with Selena on vocals, Suzette Quintanilla on drums and A.B. Quintanilla on bass until her tragic death at age 23.
“With this series, viewers will finally get the full history of Selena, our family, and the impact she has had on all of our lives,” Selena’s sister Suzette Quintanilla said in a statement.
'Selena: The Series' follows the 1997 Jennifer Lopez-starring hit film which chronicled the singer's life.
The series is reportedly divided in two parts,...
- 27/10/2020
- por Omkar Padte
- GlamSham
Netflix has debuted the first trailer for its upcoming biographical drama “Selena: The Series,” about the beloved Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, set to release Dec. 4.
Christian Serratos (“The Walking Dead”) will play the late artist, while Madison Taylor Baez will play a young Selena. Produced by Campanario Entertainment and created by Moisés Zamora, the series features Seidy Lopez as her mother, Marcella Samora; Ricardo Chavira as her father, Abraham Quintanilla; Gabriel Chavarria as her brother, A.B. Quintanilla; and Noemi Gonzalez as her sister, Suzette Quintanilla.
The series chronicles the renowned Mexican American singer’s childhood and rapid rise to fame amid personal sacrifices and challenges. Netflix previously revealed a black-and-white teaser trailer, which depicts Selena performing her classic “Como La Flor” on stage, with a voiceover from her father, who says, “Do you trust your father? If you keep practicing, it’s all gonna pay off. Just watch. And when...
Christian Serratos (“The Walking Dead”) will play the late artist, while Madison Taylor Baez will play a young Selena. Produced by Campanario Entertainment and created by Moisés Zamora, the series features Seidy Lopez as her mother, Marcella Samora; Ricardo Chavira as her father, Abraham Quintanilla; Gabriel Chavarria as her brother, A.B. Quintanilla; and Noemi Gonzalez as her sister, Suzette Quintanilla.
The series chronicles the renowned Mexican American singer’s childhood and rapid rise to fame amid personal sacrifices and challenges. Netflix previously revealed a black-and-white teaser trailer, which depicts Selena performing her classic “Como La Flor” on stage, with a voiceover from her father, who says, “Do you trust your father? If you keep practicing, it’s all gonna pay off. Just watch. And when...
- 26/10/2020
- por Natalie Oganesyan
- Variety Film + TV
This is Christian Serratos like you've never seen her before.
Netflix on Monday dropped the full-length trailer for its two-season limited series, Selena: The Series.
Serratos, best known for starring as Rosita on The Walking Dead, debuts as the late Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla in the first footage of the freshman season.
Quintanilla was a huge star, but her life was tragically cut short when she was murdered by fan club president Yolanda Saldivar in 1995.
The series is a biographical coming-of-age story based on the life of Selena as she chases her dreams, and the heart-wrenching and life-changing sacrifices she and her family make as they navigate the highs and lows of success, loss, love, and music.
"Before she became the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena Quintanilla was a young girl from Texas with big dreams and an even bigger voice," reads the official logline.
"The two-part coming-of-age drama Selena:...
Netflix on Monday dropped the full-length trailer for its two-season limited series, Selena: The Series.
Serratos, best known for starring as Rosita on The Walking Dead, debuts as the late Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla in the first footage of the freshman season.
Quintanilla was a huge star, but her life was tragically cut short when she was murdered by fan club president Yolanda Saldivar in 1995.
The series is a biographical coming-of-age story based on the life of Selena as she chases her dreams, and the heart-wrenching and life-changing sacrifices she and her family make as they navigate the highs and lows of success, loss, love, and music.
"Before she became the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena Quintanilla was a young girl from Texas with big dreams and an even bigger voice," reads the official logline.
"The two-part coming-of-age drama Selena:...
- 26/10/2020
- por Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Popular-music-focused dramatizations have found new life, thanks to recent cinematic offerings like Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, with many more currently on the industry docket. It’s a notion that Netflix might have taken into consideration with a television project it just unveiled, set to chronicle the story of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, the 1990s-era Mexican-American crossover pop sensation whose rise was tragically cut short upon being murdered by her friend and agent.
The Walking Dead‘s Christian Serratos temporarily put aside the zombie apocalypse to star on the Netflix television offering, titled Selena: The Series. The show is being released in “parts” (rather than seasons), with Part 1 arriving with six 1-hour episodes. Serratos – who’s played Rosita Espinoza on the AMC series since 2014 – has major shoes to fill, not just because of the loftiness of portraying the still-beloved singer, but also because of director Gregory Nava’s 1997 Selena film, which elevated star Jennifer Lopez to A-list status.
The Walking Dead‘s Christian Serratos temporarily put aside the zombie apocalypse to star on the Netflix television offering, titled Selena: The Series. The show is being released in “parts” (rather than seasons), with Part 1 arriving with six 1-hour episodes. Serratos – who’s played Rosita Espinoza on the AMC series since 2014 – has major shoes to fill, not just because of the loftiness of portraying the still-beloved singer, but also because of director Gregory Nava’s 1997 Selena film, which elevated star Jennifer Lopez to A-list status.
- 06/10/2020
- por Joseph Baxter
- Den of Geek
Netflix will introduce the world to Selena: The Series this December.
The streamer announced Tuesday that it would arrive Friday, December 4.
When it was picked up by Netflix, it was announced as a limited series, and will be split into two parts.
The series is a biographical coming-of-age story based on the life of Selena as she chases her dreams, and the heart-wrenching and life-changing sacrifices she and her family make as they navigate the highs and lows of success, loss, love, and music.
"Before she became the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena Quintanilla was a young girl from Texas with big dreams and an even bigger voice," reads the official logline.
"The two-part coming-of-age drama Selena: The Series explores the once-in-a-generation performer's journey as a young artist, from singing small gigs in Corpus Christi with her family to becoming one of the most successful Latin artists of all time...
The streamer announced Tuesday that it would arrive Friday, December 4.
When it was picked up by Netflix, it was announced as a limited series, and will be split into two parts.
The series is a biographical coming-of-age story based on the life of Selena as she chases her dreams, and the heart-wrenching and life-changing sacrifices she and her family make as they navigate the highs and lows of success, loss, love, and music.
"Before she became the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena Quintanilla was a young girl from Texas with big dreams and an even bigger voice," reads the official logline.
"The two-part coming-of-age drama Selena: The Series explores the once-in-a-generation performer's journey as a young artist, from singing small gigs in Corpus Christi with her family to becoming one of the most successful Latin artists of all time...
- 06/10/2020
- por Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Netflix is set to debut its biographical series based on the life of Latin pop singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez — nearly two full years after the project was first announced.
The streamer revealed Tuesday that Selena: The Series will premiere on Friday, Dec. 4. The news comes with a black-and-white teaser trailer (above) featuring The Walking Dead‘s Christian Serratos in character and in concert as the iconic vocalist. The video was first shared via the @contodoNetflix Twitter handle with the caption, “Every legend begins with a dream.”
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The streamer revealed Tuesday that Selena: The Series will premiere on Friday, Dec. 4. The news comes with a black-and-white teaser trailer (above) featuring The Walking Dead‘s Christian Serratos in character and in concert as the iconic vocalist. The video was first shared via the @contodoNetflix Twitter handle with the caption, “Every legend begins with a dream.”
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- 06/10/2020
- por Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
“Selena: The Series,” a biographical drama about the beloved Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla, is set to release on Netflix this December.
“The Walking Dead” star Christian Serratos will play the late singer, who was shot and killed on March 31, 1995, just days before her 24th birthday. The Netflix series will depict her childhood and rapid rise to fame, in addition to the difficult choices she and her family must make to further her music career.
Netflix released a teaser trailer for “Selena: The Series” on Tuesday morning, announcing its premiere on the streaming platform on Dec. 4.
“The Walking Dead” star Christian Serratos will play the late singer, who was shot and killed on March 31, 1995, just days before her 24th birthday. The Netflix series will depict her childhood and rapid rise to fame, in addition to the difficult choices she and her family must make to further her music career.
Netflix released a teaser trailer for “Selena: The Series” on Tuesday morning, announcing its premiere on the streaming platform on Dec. 4.
- 06/10/2020
- por Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
Selena: The Series, the Netflix biographical drama about Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla, will premiere December 4.
The premiere date announcement was made today via Netflix’s Latinx social media arm Con Todo. In a tweet with the message “Every Legend Begins With a Dream,” the premiere date was announced and a teaser trailer and poster art released. Watch the trailer above, and see the poster below.
Christian Serratos stars as Selena, Gabriel Chavarria as her brother Ab, with Julio Macias, Jesse Posey, Hunter Reese Peña, and Carlos Alfredo, Jr. set as series regulars, and Juan Martinez, Daniela Estrada and Paul Rodriguez, Jr. to recur.
Selena: The Series is a coming-of-age story following Selena (Serratos) as her dreams come true and all the heart-wrenching and life-changing choices she and her family have to make as they navigate success, family, and music.
Also in the cast: Ricardo Chavira, Noemi Gonzalez,...
The premiere date announcement was made today via Netflix’s Latinx social media arm Con Todo. In a tweet with the message “Every Legend Begins With a Dream,” the premiere date was announced and a teaser trailer and poster art released. Watch the trailer above, and see the poster below.
Christian Serratos stars as Selena, Gabriel Chavarria as her brother Ab, with Julio Macias, Jesse Posey, Hunter Reese Peña, and Carlos Alfredo, Jr. set as series regulars, and Juan Martinez, Daniela Estrada and Paul Rodriguez, Jr. to recur.
Selena: The Series is a coming-of-age story following Selena (Serratos) as her dreams come true and all the heart-wrenching and life-changing choices she and her family have to make as they navigate success, family, and music.
Also in the cast: Ricardo Chavira, Noemi Gonzalez,...
- 06/10/2020
- por Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Julio Macias (On My Block), Jesse Posey, Hunter Reese Peña (Morning Ritual), and Carlos Alfredo, Jr. (Mutt and Chopps) are set as series regulars, and Juan Martinez, Daniela Estrada and Paul Rodriguez, Jr. (The Curse of La Llorona) will recur opposite Christian Serratos in Netflix’s Selena: The Series, its upcoming scripted series about Tejano music legend Selena Quintanilla.
Selena: The Series is a coming-of-age story following Selena (Serratos) as her dreams come true and all the heart-wrenching and life-changing choices she and her family have to make as they navigate success, family, and music.
Macias will play Pete Astudillo, a charming singer and member of a two-man band known as Los Bad Boys, who is discovered along with Joe Ojeda and ultimately helps write a few of Selena’s most popular songs.
Posey will play Chris Perez, the eventual...
Selena: The Series is a coming-of-age story following Selena (Serratos) as her dreams come true and all the heart-wrenching and life-changing choices she and her family have to make as they navigate success, family, and music.
Macias will play Pete Astudillo, a charming singer and member of a two-man band known as Los Bad Boys, who is discovered along with Joe Ojeda and ultimately helps write a few of Selena’s most popular songs.
Posey will play Chris Perez, the eventual...
- 27/11/2019
- por Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Ready to get some chills? Great, because Netflix has dropped a first look at “Walking Dead” star Christian Serratos in character as Selena Quintanilla in the streaming service’s upcoming “Selena: The Series.” And the resemblance between the actress and the late singer is uncanny.
“Selena: The Series” is described by Netflix as “a coming of age story following Selena Quintanilla as her dreams come true and all the heart-wrenching and life-changing choices she and her family have to make as they navigate success, family, and music.” Season 1 will include six hour-long episodes.
“Selena is an inspirational figure who’s transcended generations. At Campanario, we’ve always known it was crucial for this series to find actors with the right mix of talent, charisma, and passion to honor Selena’s legacy and the story of her family,” said Jaime Davila, president and co-founder of Campanario Entertainment. “Our casting director Carla Hool...
“Selena: The Series” is described by Netflix as “a coming of age story following Selena Quintanilla as her dreams come true and all the heart-wrenching and life-changing choices she and her family have to make as they navigate success, family, and music.” Season 1 will include six hour-long episodes.
“Selena is an inspirational figure who’s transcended generations. At Campanario, we’ve always known it was crucial for this series to find actors with the right mix of talent, charisma, and passion to honor Selena’s legacy and the story of her family,” said Jaime Davila, president and co-founder of Campanario Entertainment. “Our casting director Carla Hool...
- 12/11/2019
- por Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Netflix revealed a first look today at Christian Serratos as Selena Quintanilla in the upcoming Selena: The Series and officially announced the series’ cast.
Check out the image of The Walking Dead star in character below and a video above.
Netflix’s coming of age story will follow late Tejano singer Selena as her dreams come true, and her family makes life-changing choices on the singer’s journey to success.
Netflix also confirmed that Desperate Housewives alum Ricardo Chavira and Gabriel Chavarria (The Purge) are set as leads, as Deadline previously reported exclusively.
Other cast members include Noemi Gonzalez (The Young and the Restless) as Suzette Quintanilla, Selena’s sister and best friend, who learns to embrace her role as the first female drummer in Tejano music history. Seidy Lopez (Training Day) will play Marcella Quintanilla, Selena’s mother; and newcomer Madison Taylor Baez will portray a young Selena.
Production...
Check out the image of The Walking Dead star in character below and a video above.
Netflix’s coming of age story will follow late Tejano singer Selena as her dreams come true, and her family makes life-changing choices on the singer’s journey to success.
Netflix also confirmed that Desperate Housewives alum Ricardo Chavira and Gabriel Chavarria (The Purge) are set as leads, as Deadline previously reported exclusively.
Other cast members include Noemi Gonzalez (The Young and the Restless) as Suzette Quintanilla, Selena’s sister and best friend, who learns to embrace her role as the first female drummer in Tejano music history. Seidy Lopez (Training Day) will play Marcella Quintanilla, Selena’s mother; and newcomer Madison Taylor Baez will portray a young Selena.
Production...
- 12/11/2019
- por Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has made it official: The Walking Dead actress Christian Serratos is confirmed to play Selena Quintanilla-Pérez in the streamer’s upcoming bio-series about the singer — and now we know what she’ll look like in the role.
In the casting announcement video embedded above, Serratos dons Selena’s signature hairstyle (and the perfect shade of red lipstick) as she prepares to portray the late songstress, who was tragically shot and killed by her friend Yolanda Saldívar at the age of 23.
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In the casting announcement video embedded above, Serratos dons Selena’s signature hairstyle (and the perfect shade of red lipstick) as she prepares to portray the late songstress, who was tragically shot and killed by her friend Yolanda Saldívar at the age of 23.
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- 12/11/2019
- TVLine.com
Film review: 'Luminarias'
"Luminarias" zeros in on one of the most invisible groups in America -- the professional Latina. This romantic comedy focuses on four such women, upwardly mobile in their careers but in a perpetual nose dive in their love lives. And while the film is based on a play, it seldom betrays its theatrical origins. The film has an easy flow that lets director Jose Luis Valenzuela gracefully move from subplot to subplot, dropping in on these women at crucial junctures in their messy, soap opera-like lives.
But the real question is, will one of the most invisible groups in America show up to support such a film? One recent male-oriented Latin-themed film, "Price of Glory", proved resistible to Latinos in general, while another, "The Other Conquest", has performed well at the boxoffice. But no movie has really targeted Latinas in any big way.
New Latin Pictures, a distribution company that releases
English-language pictures primarily to Hispanics -- their first release was "Nueba Yol" in 1996 -- insists that such an audience does exist. If so, the Cinco de Mayo release of "Luminarias" will need the support of considerable media buys to make Latinos aware of this low-profile picture. Chances for crossover appear unlikely, but the film may do well in some overseas markets.
The film's star, Evelina Fernandez, who is married to helmer Valenzuela, developed the script first as a play for the Latino Theater Company at the Los Angeles Theater Center and then as this independently produced film.
"Luminarias" is the name of an East Los Angeles restaurant where these women gather to quaff tequila and dish. Fernandez plays Andrea, an attorney going through a divorce from a philandering husband (Robert Beltran). When she finds herself falling for a fellow attorney who's Jewish (Scott Bakula), she must confront her own intolerance of gringos.
Conversely, Sofia (Marta Du Bois), a shrink who lives on the Westside, puts all her energy into fitting into Anglo society. That is, until a waiter from the restaurant, Pablo (Sal Lopez), who can barely speak English, gently woos her.
Irene (Dyana Ortelli), a clothing designer who has given up sex for Lent, equally distrusts Anglos even as she insists that her drag queen brother (Geoff Rivas) isn't gay, just "confused."
Visual artist Lilly (Angela Moya) tries to overcome her penchant for undocumented workers "who don't work" -- as her girlfriends put it -- by taking up with a lonely Korean-American businessman (Andrew C. Lim).
The film mainly concentrates on Andrea. This includes her relationship with her future ex, her new lover and a client (Seidy Lopez), who becomes more embroiled in her life than she should.
The three other roles are more sketchily portrayed, so don't look for much insight into their troubled psyches. The film hugs the surface, relying on schematic comedy and bumper-sticker catch phrases for its social commentary. Despite its centrality to the story, Fernandez doesn't really explore the mistrust between Latinos and Anglos beyond using this as a source of conflict between her characters.
The writer and Valenzuela, who are partnered with Sal Lopez in Sleeping Giant Prods., clearly intend to keep things light. This means bypassing an opportunity to explore such intriguing issues as the role of professional women in a culture often ruled by machismo and people's reactions to interracial dating beyond "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" gasps.
Mostly, Valenzuela maintains a party atmosphere with lot of margaritas (boy, can these girls drink), upbeat music and repeated visits to Luminarias.
And other than a show-off four-minute tracking shot that opens the film, Valenzuela is content to let his wife be the star, both as an actress and writer. Technical credits sometimes reflect the low budget -- the film reportedly cost less than $1 million -- but are always professional.
LUMINARIAS
New Latin Pictures
Sleeping Giant Prods. in association
with July Street Entertainment
Producer: Sal Lopez
Director: Jose Luis Valenzuela
Screenwriter: Evelina Fernandez
Based on a play by: Evelina Fernandez
Director of photography: Alex Phillips
Production designer: Patssi Valdez
Music: Eric Allaman
Co-producer: Mina Vasquez
Costume designer: Bernie White
Editors: Terilyn Shropshire, Jeff Koontz
Color/stereo
Cast:
Andrea: Evelina Fernandez
Joseph: Scott Bakula
Sofia: Marta Du Bois
Lilly: Angela Moya
Irene: Dyana Ortelli
Cindy: Seidy Lopez
Joe: Robert Beltran
Pablo: Sal Lopez
Running time -- 98 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
But the real question is, will one of the most invisible groups in America show up to support such a film? One recent male-oriented Latin-themed film, "Price of Glory", proved resistible to Latinos in general, while another, "The Other Conquest", has performed well at the boxoffice. But no movie has really targeted Latinas in any big way.
New Latin Pictures, a distribution company that releases
English-language pictures primarily to Hispanics -- their first release was "Nueba Yol" in 1996 -- insists that such an audience does exist. If so, the Cinco de Mayo release of "Luminarias" will need the support of considerable media buys to make Latinos aware of this low-profile picture. Chances for crossover appear unlikely, but the film may do well in some overseas markets.
The film's star, Evelina Fernandez, who is married to helmer Valenzuela, developed the script first as a play for the Latino Theater Company at the Los Angeles Theater Center and then as this independently produced film.
"Luminarias" is the name of an East Los Angeles restaurant where these women gather to quaff tequila and dish. Fernandez plays Andrea, an attorney going through a divorce from a philandering husband (Robert Beltran). When she finds herself falling for a fellow attorney who's Jewish (Scott Bakula), she must confront her own intolerance of gringos.
Conversely, Sofia (Marta Du Bois), a shrink who lives on the Westside, puts all her energy into fitting into Anglo society. That is, until a waiter from the restaurant, Pablo (Sal Lopez), who can barely speak English, gently woos her.
Irene (Dyana Ortelli), a clothing designer who has given up sex for Lent, equally distrusts Anglos even as she insists that her drag queen brother (Geoff Rivas) isn't gay, just "confused."
Visual artist Lilly (Angela Moya) tries to overcome her penchant for undocumented workers "who don't work" -- as her girlfriends put it -- by taking up with a lonely Korean-American businessman (Andrew C. Lim).
The film mainly concentrates on Andrea. This includes her relationship with her future ex, her new lover and a client (Seidy Lopez), who becomes more embroiled in her life than she should.
The three other roles are more sketchily portrayed, so don't look for much insight into their troubled psyches. The film hugs the surface, relying on schematic comedy and bumper-sticker catch phrases for its social commentary. Despite its centrality to the story, Fernandez doesn't really explore the mistrust between Latinos and Anglos beyond using this as a source of conflict between her characters.
The writer and Valenzuela, who are partnered with Sal Lopez in Sleeping Giant Prods., clearly intend to keep things light. This means bypassing an opportunity to explore such intriguing issues as the role of professional women in a culture often ruled by machismo and people's reactions to interracial dating beyond "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" gasps.
Mostly, Valenzuela maintains a party atmosphere with lot of margaritas (boy, can these girls drink), upbeat music and repeated visits to Luminarias.
And other than a show-off four-minute tracking shot that opens the film, Valenzuela is content to let his wife be the star, both as an actress and writer. Technical credits sometimes reflect the low budget -- the film reportedly cost less than $1 million -- but are always professional.
LUMINARIAS
New Latin Pictures
Sleeping Giant Prods. in association
with July Street Entertainment
Producer: Sal Lopez
Director: Jose Luis Valenzuela
Screenwriter: Evelina Fernandez
Based on a play by: Evelina Fernandez
Director of photography: Alex Phillips
Production designer: Patssi Valdez
Music: Eric Allaman
Co-producer: Mina Vasquez
Costume designer: Bernie White
Editors: Terilyn Shropshire, Jeff Koontz
Color/stereo
Cast:
Andrea: Evelina Fernandez
Joseph: Scott Bakula
Sofia: Marta Du Bois
Lilly: Angela Moya
Irene: Dyana Ortelli
Cindy: Seidy Lopez
Joe: Robert Beltran
Pablo: Sal Lopez
Running time -- 98 minutes
MPAA rating: R...
- 03/05/2000
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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