I screened "Hostile Border" (Fka "Pocha, Manifest Destiny") at Urbanworld Film Festival (www.urbanworld.org) last September after hunting it down for what felt like an eternity having followed the project since its audition process. Not only did Veronica charm fellow filmmakers and audiences alike, she gave an understated and captivating performance that carried the film effortlessly. One that should take the young Cali Latina to dizzying heights.
Read More:How Dir. Michael Dwyer Devised a Neo-Western About a Conflicted Pocha in 'Hostile Border'
LatinoBuzz: Is there an artist whose career you greatly admire?
Veronica Sixtos: I greatly admire Jennifer Lawrence's career. She was put on the map by her performance in an indie film called Winter's Bone. Knowing that gives me faith that I can lead a similar path. I can tell that she puts everything she has into giving the audience the most honest performance that she can. I adore her for her bravery in letting go. She chooses her roles wisely and she's not afraid push the limits. I love that. I also love how she presents herself in public. Whether it's a TV interview, red carpet, or a tweet, she is not afraid to be herself and I think that makes her so unique.
LatinoBuzz: Does your music help you with your acting and vice versa?
Veronica Sixtos: I was an actress first before I was a musician and songwriter. So what I had learned about letting go and trusting my human instincts in the art of acting I applied to my music. When I write and perform my music I do my absolute best to always come from an honest and sincere place. I imagine it would be more difficult to get to that place if I was not also an actor. During the filming of Hostile Border I would play my guitar and sing my songs during down time. It helped me unwind after an intense day of work. It also helped me to tap into the more emotional side of my character.
LatinoBuzz: Did making Hostile Border help you gain a better understanding of the complexities of the immigration issues?
Veronica Sixtos:: Before making "Hostile Border" I had a limited understanding on the immigration issues today. Being a part of this project has allowed me to gain a lot of insight and perspective on immigration/deportation on a more personal level. One thing that has really stood out to me is the extent of how many people's lives are affected by it and how they are all affected in different ways.
LatinoBuzz: What was the most important element you wanted to bring to the role of "Pocha"?
Veronica Sixtos: Humanity. I wanted to bring to my character such a level of humanity that the audience would identify with her whether she was making bad decisions or not. I didn't want it to be a performance. I wanted to share with the audience a real human experience.
LatinoBuzz: How did the whole experience of making the film change you in any way?
Veronica Sixtos: Around the time that I was offered the role of Claudia I was feeling like I was at a stand still in my career and in my life in general. I was tired of living the same routine everyday and auditioning for similar stereotype roles all the time. Without realizing it I was waiting for an opportunity to express my art in such a way that it would make a real impact on people. I wanted to jump into something that had never been done before where I could have the freedom to truly push the boundaries of what is considered correct or acceptable. Playing this role forced me to completely let go of ego. I had to let go of the preconceived ideas of what women in movies are supposed to be like. This was one of the biggest challenges I faced in the making of this film. What I continued to remind myself was that it was not about me... it was about the art, the message, and the experience of the audience. Embodying such a complicated character required for me to delve into the darkest parts of myself in order to portray Claudia in the most authentic way possible. Doing that wasn't easy and I found myself learning a lot about self acceptance and transformation. To this day I am still learning and changing from this experience.
LatinoBuzz: The film first premiered on the east coast at Urbanworld Film Festival and took the jury prize for Best Narrative Feature Film. How was that experience to come to New York for the first time and accept the award?
Veronica Sixtos: I love New York. Walking the beautiful city streets in designer pumps and dress was like a dream!! What an incredible time I had watching beautiful films and meeting incredibly talented and passionate people at the festival. Seeing Tyrese Gibson watching my movie was an insane surprise. He even stayed for the Q & A and asked me a question! I felt so honored just for him to have seen it let alone hear his thoughts on it. During the awards ceremony I remember looking around and feeling overwhelmed that I was lucky enough to even be there to witness these film makers accept their awards. Which is why I was completely caught off guard when they announced that my film had won the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative feature film and I was the only one there to accept it! In front of all those people. I was so over joyed that I couldn't stop giggling like a little girl. I'll never forget that experience.
LatinoBuzz:Is there a filmmaker you really want to work with? Put it out there!
Veronica Sixtos: Alejandro G. Inarritu. After watching "The Revenant" I fell in love with this directors work. I started doing research on him and found that we have some things in common! He was born and raised in Mexico (I wasn't but I'm Mexican and I love Mexico!). At a young age he went traveling around the world which he says has heavily influenced him as a filmmaker (I love to travel too!). He is a musical artist and says that music has a bigger influence on him as an artist than film (I can totally relate!). He has a long list of critically acclaimed films and one day I hope to be in one of them. I think we would work really well together. Can someone send him a "Hostile Border" screener???
LatinoBuzz: What's the ultimate game plan for Veronica?
Veronica Sixtos: I love film. I want to keep working on movies and I have high hopes that Hostile Border will bring forth more opportunities for me. Currently I am working on completing my first Ep called Chapters. Eventually it will be available on Itunes and hopefully Spotify etc. I love writing music and sharing it with those who need it. Travel is another one of my passions... I don't quite have a game plan yet on how to accomplish this... but I would like to somehow incorporate travel with music and acting. All in one. That would be my ultimate dream.
Give Veronica cyber hugs at: https://www.facebook.com/VeronicaSixtosfanpage and check out all things "Hostile Border" here: http://www.hostileborder.com/
Written by Juan Caceres. LatinoBuzz is a feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow [At]LatinoBuzz on Twitter ...
Read More:How Dir. Michael Dwyer Devised a Neo-Western About a Conflicted Pocha in 'Hostile Border'
LatinoBuzz: Is there an artist whose career you greatly admire?
Veronica Sixtos: I greatly admire Jennifer Lawrence's career. She was put on the map by her performance in an indie film called Winter's Bone. Knowing that gives me faith that I can lead a similar path. I can tell that she puts everything she has into giving the audience the most honest performance that she can. I adore her for her bravery in letting go. She chooses her roles wisely and she's not afraid push the limits. I love that. I also love how she presents herself in public. Whether it's a TV interview, red carpet, or a tweet, she is not afraid to be herself and I think that makes her so unique.
LatinoBuzz: Does your music help you with your acting and vice versa?
Veronica Sixtos: I was an actress first before I was a musician and songwriter. So what I had learned about letting go and trusting my human instincts in the art of acting I applied to my music. When I write and perform my music I do my absolute best to always come from an honest and sincere place. I imagine it would be more difficult to get to that place if I was not also an actor. During the filming of Hostile Border I would play my guitar and sing my songs during down time. It helped me unwind after an intense day of work. It also helped me to tap into the more emotional side of my character.
LatinoBuzz: Did making Hostile Border help you gain a better understanding of the complexities of the immigration issues?
Veronica Sixtos:: Before making "Hostile Border" I had a limited understanding on the immigration issues today. Being a part of this project has allowed me to gain a lot of insight and perspective on immigration/deportation on a more personal level. One thing that has really stood out to me is the extent of how many people's lives are affected by it and how they are all affected in different ways.
LatinoBuzz: What was the most important element you wanted to bring to the role of "Pocha"?
Veronica Sixtos: Humanity. I wanted to bring to my character such a level of humanity that the audience would identify with her whether she was making bad decisions or not. I didn't want it to be a performance. I wanted to share with the audience a real human experience.
LatinoBuzz: How did the whole experience of making the film change you in any way?
Veronica Sixtos: Around the time that I was offered the role of Claudia I was feeling like I was at a stand still in my career and in my life in general. I was tired of living the same routine everyday and auditioning for similar stereotype roles all the time. Without realizing it I was waiting for an opportunity to express my art in such a way that it would make a real impact on people. I wanted to jump into something that had never been done before where I could have the freedom to truly push the boundaries of what is considered correct or acceptable. Playing this role forced me to completely let go of ego. I had to let go of the preconceived ideas of what women in movies are supposed to be like. This was one of the biggest challenges I faced in the making of this film. What I continued to remind myself was that it was not about me... it was about the art, the message, and the experience of the audience. Embodying such a complicated character required for me to delve into the darkest parts of myself in order to portray Claudia in the most authentic way possible. Doing that wasn't easy and I found myself learning a lot about self acceptance and transformation. To this day I am still learning and changing from this experience.
LatinoBuzz: The film first premiered on the east coast at Urbanworld Film Festival and took the jury prize for Best Narrative Feature Film. How was that experience to come to New York for the first time and accept the award?
Veronica Sixtos: I love New York. Walking the beautiful city streets in designer pumps and dress was like a dream!! What an incredible time I had watching beautiful films and meeting incredibly talented and passionate people at the festival. Seeing Tyrese Gibson watching my movie was an insane surprise. He even stayed for the Q & A and asked me a question! I felt so honored just for him to have seen it let alone hear his thoughts on it. During the awards ceremony I remember looking around and feeling overwhelmed that I was lucky enough to even be there to witness these film makers accept their awards. Which is why I was completely caught off guard when they announced that my film had won the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative feature film and I was the only one there to accept it! In front of all those people. I was so over joyed that I couldn't stop giggling like a little girl. I'll never forget that experience.
LatinoBuzz:Is there a filmmaker you really want to work with? Put it out there!
Veronica Sixtos: Alejandro G. Inarritu. After watching "The Revenant" I fell in love with this directors work. I started doing research on him and found that we have some things in common! He was born and raised in Mexico (I wasn't but I'm Mexican and I love Mexico!). At a young age he went traveling around the world which he says has heavily influenced him as a filmmaker (I love to travel too!). He is a musical artist and says that music has a bigger influence on him as an artist than film (I can totally relate!). He has a long list of critically acclaimed films and one day I hope to be in one of them. I think we would work really well together. Can someone send him a "Hostile Border" screener???
LatinoBuzz: What's the ultimate game plan for Veronica?
Veronica Sixtos: I love film. I want to keep working on movies and I have high hopes that Hostile Border will bring forth more opportunities for me. Currently I am working on completing my first Ep called Chapters. Eventually it will be available on Itunes and hopefully Spotify etc. I love writing music and sharing it with those who need it. Travel is another one of my passions... I don't quite have a game plan yet on how to accomplish this... but I would like to somehow incorporate travel with music and acting. All in one. That would be my ultimate dream.
Give Veronica cyber hugs at: https://www.facebook.com/VeronicaSixtosfanpage and check out all things "Hostile Border" here: http://www.hostileborder.com/
Written by Juan Caceres. LatinoBuzz is a feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow [At]LatinoBuzz on Twitter ...
- 4/26/2016
- by Juan Caceres
- Sydney's Buzz
Due to the myriad of people seeking refuge from the precarious conditions in their homelands or about crimes committed along the extensive area it crosses, the border that attempts to divide Mexico and the United States is an endless fountain of thought-provoking stories, sometimes uplifting and others gruesome, which have become prime source material for film productions on countless occasions. But while there are very few aspects of this interdependent relationship that haven’t been already explored in cinema, director Michael Dwyer’s “Hostile Border” (formerly known as “Pocha: Manifest Destiny”) follows a singular character with a dubious moral compass, cultural ambiguity, and whose identity is difficult to classify.
Claudia (Veronica Sixtos) is a Mexican-born undocumented American, and while that description may sound contradictory, is perhaps the closest to explain what her situation is. She identifies with American culture, as the only place she has ever called home is the United States, yet her status as an undocumented immigrant places her in a limbo that has no easy solution. When a series of terrible choices lands her back in Mexico, a country foreign to her, she realizes that the fact she can’t speak Spanish and doesn’t know what rural life involves alienate her here too. As a pocha, or someone of Mexican descent who doesn’t speak the language or relates to the culture, Claudia is force to reconsider who she believes she is, at least until she can find a way to return to the U.S. by any means necessary.
We chatted with director Michael Dwyer about his unexpected take on a new type of border story, one that takes from genres like the Western and thriller, and becomes its own unique brand of cinematic social commentary.
"Hostile Border" opens in Los Angeles on April 15 from Samuel Goldwyn Films.
Aguilar: I was born in Mexico. I grew up there and then I moved to the U.S, so I'm always hesitant about the portrayal of immigrants in film and of the relationship between the Us and Mexico. However, "Hostile Border" has a very unique and authentic angle on these stories that I hadn't seen on screen before. The concept of a "pocha" or "pocho" might be familiar to people in the Mexican community but foreign outside of it. How did you come in contact with this story? What was it that drew you to this specific part of the relationship between the two countries?
Michael Dwyer: Primarily I wanted to tell a story that takes a hard look at the American Dream. For me, growing up around the border, the border is a place where there’s not just two cultures, there are many cultures pushing up against each other. I think within that space you’re able to question your own cultural values, be it Mexican or American, and that was really important for me growing up, having different perspectives on what’s really important about the choices you make, on issues of morals and family. I feel like that’s where I’m coming from, that I wanted to tell a different kind of story about the American dream. I think that there are of a lot of cheering, happy stories of people who come to the Us and who aspire to do amazing things, and it's not that I want to diminish that, but coming of age amidst the financial crisis, where there was no consequences for any of that corruption, gave me a certain feeling that the American dream wasn’t designed for everybody, and there are people who are pushed out. I think that perspective is valuable, because I think that there’s this a dark side to the American dream where people get hurt, and that’s very real.
Aguilar: Your protagonist, Claudia, is in this very ambiguous cultural crossroads , because she doesn’t speak Spanish and she’s sent back to a county that she doesn’t know. She not from here but in a sense also not from there. She connects more with American culture, but her birthplace definitely has an influence in her destiny. Can you tell me about creating this character and devising that ambiguity of what she is or what she thinks she is?
Michael Dwyer: I should say that I had been developing this story for many years, and a real turning point for me happened when I was at the border late one night and I witness the deportation of maybe 100 people. I ended up standing on the line with several of them, and I met people who, like Claudia, didn’t speak Spanish and knew very little about Mexico. That was kind of the “inciting incident” for crafting a different story about somebody who is caught in between the two cultures, the two countries, but then it’s also about being caught in between very difficult choices, and the moral implications of each of those cultures. I hope those all tie together and that there’s a through line there.
Aguilar: She is also not “victim." She’s a very strong character. Often stories made about the immigrant experience are about victimization or powerless characters. Claudia is powerless at times in the film, but she’s has this arrogance about her that doesn't let her entertain the idea of failure. Why was important for you not to have a character that's defined as a victim, but rather one that's partly responsible for her circumstances?
Michael Dwyer: We really wanted to show her as this very strong character. I always wanted to make a Western. I wanted her to be the leading character in a Western, be strong, make bold choices, and be somebody who you can judge but also really root for. I think that that’s something we don’t really see a lot in movies – strong female characters who are both good and bad, and complex, and have a character trajectory that we can grapple with. It was definitely about that, and working with the writer and co-director of the movie, Kaitlin McLaughlin, we definitely brought to it our sense of feminist values and we tried to put that in without making it a message thing. We just wanted to give her strength and determination not to be a victim.
Aguilar: Tell me about your choice of genre and the fact that it’s not a drama. It definitely exploits the elements of a thriller. Its very gritty and intense in terms of the violence and tension, but the film still manages to convey all these other themes surrounding the action. Why did you feel that using a blend between Western and thriller elements was the ideal way yo depict these ideas?
Michael Dwyer: I wrote a version of the script a long time ago that was much more exploratory and experimental in terms of the characters. I was very much inspired by José Antonio Villarreal and his novel “Pocho," and that element of the border. But what we really came to figure out is that the feeling of being caught in between cultures and impossible decisions, is a feeling of intent, suspense and tension. Ultimately we felt that the best way to capture that feeling and put the audience with Claudia was to do that with some of the elements of a thriller, and really playing on the suspense. That’s what Kait McLaughlin, the writer, was really great about – pulling those story beats and really trying to move the story as quickly as possible and raise the stakes as high as possible.
Aguilar: Did you shoot the film in Mexico or was it easies for you to shoot in the United States? Was that decision affected by the importance of authenticity or having a realistic depiction of the spaces the characters inhabit?
Michael Dwyer: We shot two weeks in Los Angeles and another seven weeks in Mexico, around Tijuana. I come from a background in documentary film, so I feel like authenticity is very important. The part of the filmmaking process that is really rewarding to me is drawing from the elements of a location, and really listening and responding to people that you are following. I say that because in a way we tried to have a bit of that documentary feeling to it. There are scenes in here involving large amounts of cattle, and that definitely came out of our documentary approach and listening to our friends telling us, “Hey there is this roundup happening and they are going to be doing vaccinations on all of these cows. “ We would stop our day to go see that. We were a small crew, since the film was made with a lot of passion by a very few people, and that also gave us the flexibility to jump around, respond, and not impart a sense of, “This is what I think this place is,” but instead let the place come alive on its own terms.
Aguilar: There visual style on display is vibrant and transforms the landscapes into incredibly beautiful, almost dreamlike, visions. Where does this approach come from?
Michael Dwyer: I’ve worked as a commercial cinematographer and the visual language is part of my passion for filmmaking and storytelling. I’ve been inspired by great cinematographers like Emmanuel Lubezki. I think that because this is a difficult story I wanted it to be beautiful and I wanted it to pull you in. I hope that this adds to bring the audience into her feelings and her world. That was always the driving paradigm for the choices we were trying to make in terms of the framing and the camera movements. It was about how these heightened the feeling of being in Claudia’s shoes - being caught in between impossible choices. We tried to add to that suspense and feeling of unknown and fear.
Aguilar: Veronica Sixtos is a revelation. Although she had appeared in previous film projects, this is an outstanding lead role for her. How did she come on board and what made you believe she could portray Claudia with all her facets?
Michael Dwyer: It was interesting. We had a pretty extensive casting process trying to find somebody who could play this character. It’s a very complex role because we are pushing the line of likeability. We were brought to Veronica through her costar Jesse Garcia who came on to the project very early on and eventually became a producer on it. He brought us to Veronica and I immediately knew that she had both the physicality to carry it, but also the layers to be sympathetic in the way she makes bad choices. I felt that in our first audition and I’m so happy that it all worked out.
Aguilar: The film was originally titled "Pocha," then became "Pocha: Manifest Destiny," and now for release it's called "Hostile Border." Why did you select each of these and why was the decision to ultimately change it taken? It feels like "Pocha" is really the single word that best describe the cultural complexity you are dissecting here.
Michael Dwyer: For me it was always “Pocha” because I think that term doesn’t have just one meaning. You can talk to anybody in the southwest and ask them what a “pocho” or “pocha” is and you’ll get a different answer every time. It’s not one thing. I think we can all agree that it generally becomes one thing but what changes are the different connotations that it carries. To me that captured the ambiguity that we were after, about somebody that’s stuck in between two cultures and difficult moral choices. When we went to the festivals they wanted an English title, so we wanted something that spoke to this idea of the distorted American dream that we wanted to show. I think the terminology of “Manifest Destiny” is definitely something that I enjoyed playing with at the time because “manifest destiny” is a very dangerous term. Historically I don’t think we recognize how much that term was used to justify a lot of enormous violence and human cost. We are trying to speak to what are the human costs of certain American values and ways of thinking like the American dream. I really liked that connection and thought it would speak to it, but ultimately we wrestled with it and we got great feedback from our distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films. I think we came up with a title that I hope is good in its own way and helps reaching a broader audience.
Aguilar: What was the most rewarding aspect of working between Mexico and the U.S. on this film and how each of these places add their own unique qualities to the storytelling?
Michael Dwyer: Absolutely. When we were casting the project we were casting both here in L.A. and in Tijuana at the same time. I think that experience of casting in both places helped made better decisions about the casting decisions. I’d like to mention Jorge Sanders, our production designer, who is Tijuana-based. Working with him was a great collaboration, there were a lot of great collaborations in this film, but that one was especially important and meaningful. He brought authenticity to how everything should be and how it helped tell the story. He contributed an enormous amount. He is a great artist and a great friend.
Aguilar: Did you ever feel like an outsider telling a story that belonged to someone else and how did you approach it in order to understand it from your point of view?
Michael Dwyer: We really struggled with issues of appropriation. Who am I as a white American to tell this kind of story? But ultimately I hope that we were able to capture the complexity and that we did it on terms that are a critique of American values. I think critiquing American values is something that anybody can and should do. I hope that it can speak to lots of different audiences because of that.
Claudia (Veronica Sixtos) is a Mexican-born undocumented American, and while that description may sound contradictory, is perhaps the closest to explain what her situation is. She identifies with American culture, as the only place she has ever called home is the United States, yet her status as an undocumented immigrant places her in a limbo that has no easy solution. When a series of terrible choices lands her back in Mexico, a country foreign to her, she realizes that the fact she can’t speak Spanish and doesn’t know what rural life involves alienate her here too. As a pocha, or someone of Mexican descent who doesn’t speak the language or relates to the culture, Claudia is force to reconsider who she believes she is, at least until she can find a way to return to the U.S. by any means necessary.
We chatted with director Michael Dwyer about his unexpected take on a new type of border story, one that takes from genres like the Western and thriller, and becomes its own unique brand of cinematic social commentary.
"Hostile Border" opens in Los Angeles on April 15 from Samuel Goldwyn Films.
Aguilar: I was born in Mexico. I grew up there and then I moved to the U.S, so I'm always hesitant about the portrayal of immigrants in film and of the relationship between the Us and Mexico. However, "Hostile Border" has a very unique and authentic angle on these stories that I hadn't seen on screen before. The concept of a "pocha" or "pocho" might be familiar to people in the Mexican community but foreign outside of it. How did you come in contact with this story? What was it that drew you to this specific part of the relationship between the two countries?
Michael Dwyer: Primarily I wanted to tell a story that takes a hard look at the American Dream. For me, growing up around the border, the border is a place where there’s not just two cultures, there are many cultures pushing up against each other. I think within that space you’re able to question your own cultural values, be it Mexican or American, and that was really important for me growing up, having different perspectives on what’s really important about the choices you make, on issues of morals and family. I feel like that’s where I’m coming from, that I wanted to tell a different kind of story about the American dream. I think that there are of a lot of cheering, happy stories of people who come to the Us and who aspire to do amazing things, and it's not that I want to diminish that, but coming of age amidst the financial crisis, where there was no consequences for any of that corruption, gave me a certain feeling that the American dream wasn’t designed for everybody, and there are people who are pushed out. I think that perspective is valuable, because I think that there’s this a dark side to the American dream where people get hurt, and that’s very real.
Aguilar: Your protagonist, Claudia, is in this very ambiguous cultural crossroads , because she doesn’t speak Spanish and she’s sent back to a county that she doesn’t know. She not from here but in a sense also not from there. She connects more with American culture, but her birthplace definitely has an influence in her destiny. Can you tell me about creating this character and devising that ambiguity of what she is or what she thinks she is?
Michael Dwyer: I should say that I had been developing this story for many years, and a real turning point for me happened when I was at the border late one night and I witness the deportation of maybe 100 people. I ended up standing on the line with several of them, and I met people who, like Claudia, didn’t speak Spanish and knew very little about Mexico. That was kind of the “inciting incident” for crafting a different story about somebody who is caught in between the two cultures, the two countries, but then it’s also about being caught in between very difficult choices, and the moral implications of each of those cultures. I hope those all tie together and that there’s a through line there.
Aguilar: She is also not “victim." She’s a very strong character. Often stories made about the immigrant experience are about victimization or powerless characters. Claudia is powerless at times in the film, but she’s has this arrogance about her that doesn't let her entertain the idea of failure. Why was important for you not to have a character that's defined as a victim, but rather one that's partly responsible for her circumstances?
Michael Dwyer: We really wanted to show her as this very strong character. I always wanted to make a Western. I wanted her to be the leading character in a Western, be strong, make bold choices, and be somebody who you can judge but also really root for. I think that that’s something we don’t really see a lot in movies – strong female characters who are both good and bad, and complex, and have a character trajectory that we can grapple with. It was definitely about that, and working with the writer and co-director of the movie, Kaitlin McLaughlin, we definitely brought to it our sense of feminist values and we tried to put that in without making it a message thing. We just wanted to give her strength and determination not to be a victim.
Aguilar: Tell me about your choice of genre and the fact that it’s not a drama. It definitely exploits the elements of a thriller. Its very gritty and intense in terms of the violence and tension, but the film still manages to convey all these other themes surrounding the action. Why did you feel that using a blend between Western and thriller elements was the ideal way yo depict these ideas?
Michael Dwyer: I wrote a version of the script a long time ago that was much more exploratory and experimental in terms of the characters. I was very much inspired by José Antonio Villarreal and his novel “Pocho," and that element of the border. But what we really came to figure out is that the feeling of being caught in between cultures and impossible decisions, is a feeling of intent, suspense and tension. Ultimately we felt that the best way to capture that feeling and put the audience with Claudia was to do that with some of the elements of a thriller, and really playing on the suspense. That’s what Kait McLaughlin, the writer, was really great about – pulling those story beats and really trying to move the story as quickly as possible and raise the stakes as high as possible.
Aguilar: Did you shoot the film in Mexico or was it easies for you to shoot in the United States? Was that decision affected by the importance of authenticity or having a realistic depiction of the spaces the characters inhabit?
Michael Dwyer: We shot two weeks in Los Angeles and another seven weeks in Mexico, around Tijuana. I come from a background in documentary film, so I feel like authenticity is very important. The part of the filmmaking process that is really rewarding to me is drawing from the elements of a location, and really listening and responding to people that you are following. I say that because in a way we tried to have a bit of that documentary feeling to it. There are scenes in here involving large amounts of cattle, and that definitely came out of our documentary approach and listening to our friends telling us, “Hey there is this roundup happening and they are going to be doing vaccinations on all of these cows. “ We would stop our day to go see that. We were a small crew, since the film was made with a lot of passion by a very few people, and that also gave us the flexibility to jump around, respond, and not impart a sense of, “This is what I think this place is,” but instead let the place come alive on its own terms.
Aguilar: There visual style on display is vibrant and transforms the landscapes into incredibly beautiful, almost dreamlike, visions. Where does this approach come from?
Michael Dwyer: I’ve worked as a commercial cinematographer and the visual language is part of my passion for filmmaking and storytelling. I’ve been inspired by great cinematographers like Emmanuel Lubezki. I think that because this is a difficult story I wanted it to be beautiful and I wanted it to pull you in. I hope that this adds to bring the audience into her feelings and her world. That was always the driving paradigm for the choices we were trying to make in terms of the framing and the camera movements. It was about how these heightened the feeling of being in Claudia’s shoes - being caught in between impossible choices. We tried to add to that suspense and feeling of unknown and fear.
Aguilar: Veronica Sixtos is a revelation. Although she had appeared in previous film projects, this is an outstanding lead role for her. How did she come on board and what made you believe she could portray Claudia with all her facets?
Michael Dwyer: It was interesting. We had a pretty extensive casting process trying to find somebody who could play this character. It’s a very complex role because we are pushing the line of likeability. We were brought to Veronica through her costar Jesse Garcia who came on to the project very early on and eventually became a producer on it. He brought us to Veronica and I immediately knew that she had both the physicality to carry it, but also the layers to be sympathetic in the way she makes bad choices. I felt that in our first audition and I’m so happy that it all worked out.
Aguilar: The film was originally titled "Pocha," then became "Pocha: Manifest Destiny," and now for release it's called "Hostile Border." Why did you select each of these and why was the decision to ultimately change it taken? It feels like "Pocha" is really the single word that best describe the cultural complexity you are dissecting here.
Michael Dwyer: For me it was always “Pocha” because I think that term doesn’t have just one meaning. You can talk to anybody in the southwest and ask them what a “pocho” or “pocha” is and you’ll get a different answer every time. It’s not one thing. I think we can all agree that it generally becomes one thing but what changes are the different connotations that it carries. To me that captured the ambiguity that we were after, about somebody that’s stuck in between two cultures and difficult moral choices. When we went to the festivals they wanted an English title, so we wanted something that spoke to this idea of the distorted American dream that we wanted to show. I think the terminology of “Manifest Destiny” is definitely something that I enjoyed playing with at the time because “manifest destiny” is a very dangerous term. Historically I don’t think we recognize how much that term was used to justify a lot of enormous violence and human cost. We are trying to speak to what are the human costs of certain American values and ways of thinking like the American dream. I really liked that connection and thought it would speak to it, but ultimately we wrestled with it and we got great feedback from our distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films. I think we came up with a title that I hope is good in its own way and helps reaching a broader audience.
Aguilar: What was the most rewarding aspect of working between Mexico and the U.S. on this film and how each of these places add their own unique qualities to the storytelling?
Michael Dwyer: Absolutely. When we were casting the project we were casting both here in L.A. and in Tijuana at the same time. I think that experience of casting in both places helped made better decisions about the casting decisions. I’d like to mention Jorge Sanders, our production designer, who is Tijuana-based. Working with him was a great collaboration, there were a lot of great collaborations in this film, but that one was especially important and meaningful. He brought authenticity to how everything should be and how it helped tell the story. He contributed an enormous amount. He is a great artist and a great friend.
Aguilar: Did you ever feel like an outsider telling a story that belonged to someone else and how did you approach it in order to understand it from your point of view?
Michael Dwyer: We really struggled with issues of appropriation. Who am I as a white American to tell this kind of story? But ultimately I hope that we were able to capture the complexity and that we did it on terms that are a critique of American values. I think critiquing American values is something that anybody can and should do. I hope that it can speak to lots of different audiences because of that.
- 4/16/2016
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
Claudia (Veronica Sixtos), 22 yeards old, is a pocha, slang for a Mexican who has left their country (mostly for the U.S.), turned their back on their culture, and can't speak Spanish. Claudia's just fine with living abroad, until she gets deported and has to move in with her estranged father in her native country, which might as well be alien to her. Michael Dwyer's Hostile Border is a movie about immigrants and the harsh realities they face when crossing over, only this time it's the other way around, with Claudia having to adapt to her homeland. Most movies about the immigrant experience center on hard-working, salt-of-the-earth types; Claudia is the total opposite, a brat who's not above getting her hands dirty and makes a...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 4/15/2016
- Screen Anarchy
Raised in the U.S., Claudia (22) is an undocumented illegal immigrant living beyond her means in a twisted version of the American dream. When she's arrested by the FBI for credit card fraud, Claudia is quickly deported to Mexico. Speaking no Spanish and lost in her foreign "homeland," she reluctantly takes refuge at her estranged father's cattle ranch. As she clashes with her unyielding father, she her attempts to return to the U.S. thrust her into a dangerous bond with a foreign smuggler, Ricky. Caught between her father's sermons, Ricky's promises, and the encroaching military, Claudia must navigate a tightrope of impossible choices.
That synopsis is simple enough to follow, right? But, what you’ll find once you begin watching Hostile Border is an engaging thriller. It’s a story that most cannot relate to, and perhaps that is why placing yourself in Claudia's (Vernonica Sixtos) position is so interesting.
That synopsis is simple enough to follow, right? But, what you’ll find once you begin watching Hostile Border is an engaging thriller. It’s a story that most cannot relate to, and perhaps that is why placing yourself in Claudia's (Vernonica Sixtos) position is so interesting.
- 4/15/2016
- by Tyler Richardson
- LRMonline.com
A few days ago I had the chance to speak to Veronica Sixtos about her new project Hostile Border.
The film follows Claudia (22) who is raised in the U.S., but is an undocumented illegal immigrant living beyond her means in a twisted version of the American dream. When she's arrested by the FBI for credit card fraud, Claudia is quickly deported to Mexico.
Speaking no Spanish and lost in her foreign "homeland," she reluctantly takes refuge at her estranged father's cattle ranch. As she clashes with her unyielding father, she her attempts to return to the U.S. thrust her into a dangerous bond with a foreign smuggler, Ricky. Caught between her father's sermons, Ricky's promises, and the encroaching military, Claudia must navigate a tightrope of impossible choices.
Here is what Veronica Sixtos had to say about the film.
I saw the film and I wanted to ask you...
The film follows Claudia (22) who is raised in the U.S., but is an undocumented illegal immigrant living beyond her means in a twisted version of the American dream. When she's arrested by the FBI for credit card fraud, Claudia is quickly deported to Mexico.
Speaking no Spanish and lost in her foreign "homeland," she reluctantly takes refuge at her estranged father's cattle ranch. As she clashes with her unyielding father, she her attempts to return to the U.S. thrust her into a dangerous bond with a foreign smuggler, Ricky. Caught between her father's sermons, Ricky's promises, and the encroaching military, Claudia must navigate a tightrope of impossible choices.
Here is what Veronica Sixtos had to say about the film.
I saw the film and I wanted to ask you...
- 4/15/2016
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
"Are you, or aren't you a criminal? There is no in between." Samuel Goldwyn Films has released a trailer for the indie thriller Hostile Border, co-directed by Michael Dwyer & Kaitlin McLaughlin. Veronica Sixtos stars as Pocha, a crafty undocumented immigrant living in the Us who is sent back to Mexico, but struggles to cope on the other side of the border. The full cast includes Roberto Urbina, Julio Cedillo, Jorge A. Jimenez, Jesse Garcia and Maria del Carmen Farias. This film was originally titled Pocha: Manifest Destiny at the Los Angeles Film Festival before being renamed to Hostile Border, described as a slow burning crime thriller mixed with a western. This actually looks better than you're probably expecting. Here's the official trailer for Michael Dwyer & Kaitlin McLaughlin's Hostile Border, in high def on Apple: Raised in the U.S., Claudia (22) is an undocumented immigrant living beyond her means in...
- 2/26/2016
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Indiewire is proud to exclusively premiere the first trailer for Michael Dwyer and Kaitlin McLaughlin's crime thriller "Pocha (Manifest Destiny)." The film follows Claudia, a young Chicana who is deported to Mexico after getting caught committing credit card fraud. Claudia, who speaks no Spanish, moves in with her estranged father and grandmother at their ranch in northern México and becomes involved with a dangerous smuggler while adjusting to her new life. Newcomer Veronica Sixtos ("Quinceañera") stars as Claudia alongside Roberto Urbina ("Metástasis"), Maria Del Carmen Farias ("El Sueño de Lu"), Jorge Jimenez ("Hermoso Silensio") and Jesse Garcia ("Quinceañera"). Michael Dwyer and Kaitlin McLaughlin co-direct the film, with Dwyer serving as cinematographer for McLaughlin's screenplay. Dwyer's sister Alicia produced the film through her company Veracity Productions. "Pocha...
- 5/20/2015
- by Becca Nadler
- Indiewire
It’s the last LatinoBuzz Shipwrecked Edition of 2014! It’s where we love to abandon Latino artists on a deserted island to fend for themselves in hopes they will reveal something like, that their favorite album is by Train - the one with Hey, Soul Sister on it - and they have no idea that anytime that song is played, somewhere in this world a kitten is kicked. However, as we go into a brand new year we want to introduce to you these amazingly talented Latinas who you will be hearing about so much very soon. Seriously, it’s been a great year at LatinoBuzz and we want to say thank you for all your support from all of us! Please give these Latinas tons of support! Happy New Year!
Jessica Molina
Album
Jessica: Easy! Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More. This album will never get old or played out to me. The band is not a Christian band, but I seriously have a spiritual experience when I listen to this album; the way they talk about love, life, doubt, joy – I go on a journey with them and I’m assuming if I’m stuck on a deserted island a journey in my mind will be a much needed escape. The lyrics along with brilliant accompaniment (I’m hooked the moment I hear a banjo) would make for awesome beach jam sessions or chill reflective nights by the fire. Note to self: learn how to build a campfire.
Film
Jessica: Alone on an island, I’ll need some good laughs! My film choice is "The Birdcage" starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane and Hank Azaria. My family has so many inside jokes related to this film, so it would be like having a little piece of home with me. I was really emotional when Robin Williams died and I tried to understand why his death felt personal. But it made sense considering I grew up on Robin Williams’ films. He’s apart of some of my favorites like "Hook," "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Aladdin," so without a doubt I’d want this film on the island with me.
Book
Jessica: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This feels like a cliché response, but I think that’s because it resonates with and inspires so many people. This book will always be timeless for me. The first time I read The Alchemist, it was like someone found my diary and wrote this book as a response to all my fears and questions. It inspired me to be true to myself and has offered me comfort in reminding me that God has a plan for my life.
Fictional Character
Jessica: Originally I was going to say Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games," but honestly, I don’t think she’s much of a conversationalist. Yeah, she can kill dinner for me, but I need someone who is going to keep things interesting too, so I’m going to go with Jake Ballard from Scandal because all that poor man wants to do is stand in the sun. Plus, he knows how to get a good bottle of wine to a remote island!
Follow her on Twitter @jessicahosts
Veronica Sixtos
Album
Veronica: If I were stuck on a deserted island having music to soothe my weary heart would make my loneliness bearable. The album Speak for Yourself by Imogen Heap would have to be it. I've listened to her powerful music throughout my childhood and even now as an adult the heavenly melodies and softness of her voice open up my heart in a way that make me want to love more as well as receive more love. She inspires hope and inner strength.
Film
Veronica: What film?...well let's see, my sister Andrea (Sixtos) already said "Cast Away" ( http://bitly.com/1ne929b) would be her choice so although it would be pretty useful I'd rather choose something else. No one likes a copy cat. I asked my boyfriend what he would bring and he responded with "Lord of the Flies" so in case other humans landed on the island he'd know how to take them out. I'm more of a team work, peace and love, hugs are scientifically proven to be beneficial to ones health, kinda gal. So, I don't think that would be my choice. Laughter is medicine. I'd take the movie "Knocked Up."
Book
Veronica: Autobiography of a Yogi. It would bring me back to spiritual reality which would then dissipate most of the fear and loneliness. If I'm consistently reminded of the divinity within myself a life of solitude wouldn't be so difficult to endure. I wouldn't have so many earthly distractions to interfere in my search for God. Perspective plays a huge part in survival. Let's just hope I don't have to get stuck on an island to truly figure that out.
Fictional Character
Veronica: Okay, I'm gonna cheat a little on this one. The question was which fictional character from film/tv would I bring as a companion... Well, my character originally comes from a cycle of books called The Inheritance Cycle. They did make a movie based on the first one in 2006 called "Eragon" of which I have refused to watch because of the fear of utter disappointment. I don't want anything to distort my beautiful depiction of the world of Alagaësia and all of the treasured characters within it. Anyway let's get back to answering the question. I would bring as my companion, Saphira Bjartskular, the blue dragon known to be the last of the female dragons remaining in the lands. I would hope to be fortunate enough to be magically bound to her by becoming her rider. We would read each others minds and feelings and she would protect me from danger and I'd cuddle up under her wings and feel the warmth of her fiery belly. Yay. Happy thoughts.
Follow her on Twitter @vero_sixtos
Catie Waters
Album
Catie: I would take Far by Regina Spektor. I first heard this album many years ago when a friend passed it on to me. I slowly fell in love with her sound and the entire album. I think it would be a perfect album to bring because I love the overall quirkiness and adventurous melodies it brings. Plus, listening to “Eet” on a deserted island for the rest of my days would not be so bad.
Film
Catie: There is no doubt; I would bring "Life is Beautiful." It’s an incredible story of a Jewish-Italian waiter and his young son being forced onto a train and taken to a concentration camp. In order to shelter and preserve his son’s innocence amidst the horrors of their environment, he assures his son their time spent in the camp is a game. His inspiring devotion to his son can give a spark to anyone in need of motivation. This movie would remind me to continue to be alive and kicking.
Book
Catie: It is a little tough to choose one because in all honesty knowing myself; I would want to take all of my books from my personal library. However, since I must choose one; I think Looking For Alaska by John Green would be a great read to have on a deserted island. I cannot tell you how many times I laughed so hard that I cried to crying a little for real while reading this book. For me, it is one of those books you can go back to again and again.
Fictional Character
Catie: Hands down, Cosmo Brown, from "Singin’ In The Rain" would be my chosen compadre. He is incredibly absolute in his optimism and is unfailing in finding resolve in any issue that is tossed his way. I believe his can-do attitude would lead the way to a successful survival.
Follow her on Twitter @CatieWaters
Corina Calderon
Film
Corina: So, Film would be "Urban Cowboy" with John Travolta and Debra Winger, hands down! My #1 Favorite movie. I had it on VHS when I was a little girl and I would and still can watch it over and over and always find something new that I've missed, its a love story, not perfect but real. Plus being a Tejana from the great lone star state ;) it’s a Texas based film with Great country music.
Book
Corina: Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho, it’s my favorite book and I still read it from time to time. That book changed my life forever. I still lived in Austin, Texas when I read that book for the first time but while reading it I finally summoned the courage to finally make my move to La to pursue my dreams as an actress no matter how scary or uncomfortable it seemed. It reminded me to be strong, have strong faith and trust my heart always and in any situation.
Album
Corina: That would definitely be Any of Selena’s albums. My two younger sisters and I grew up listening and dancing to her music. I met Selena and A.B. Quintanilla y Los Dinos for the first time in Matamoros, Mexico when I was about 4 or 5 and I was a fan instantly and forever. Watching Selena dance inspired me as a little girl to finally put my creativity into motion, giving me the courage to say, "If she can do it I can do it too!" She looked like me! She was Latina. Back then there weren't as many Latinos in the entertainment business and she really paved the way for a lot of us. Her music would remind me to not give up!
Fictional Character
Corina: Oh Man! That would be Jessica Lange as Fiona Goode in "American Horror Story Season 3". She's a bad bitch/witch who has all the powers as a supreme to survive or get through any situation no matter who or what stands in her way! She'd have my back! Aint nobody or nothin’ messin’ with us on that island.
Chelsea Rendon
Album
Chelsea: I have to go with Taylor Swift's new album 1989. I know it's a kinda lame answer since it just came out but I seriously love the album start to finish. It puts me in a good mood and if I'm stuck on an island I would definitely want to dance around to something to make me happy.
Film
Chelsea: I would go with one of my all time favorite movies "Friends With Benefits"! I have literally seen this movie at least 20 times and it never gets old! Seriously, I don't mind seeing it over and over again. Plus it has Justin Timberlake - Hello eye candy!
Book
Chelsea: Wilderness Survival For Dummies! It will help me stay alive and it wont be all complicated so I can understand it. Especially if I haven't had anything to eat for a while, my brain starts to shut down, so this book is perfect!
Fictional Character
Chelsea: I would go with Alan Parrish aka Robin Williams in "Jumanji." Hello it’s Robin Williams! But as his character he got swallowed up into the game and survived for years in the jungle. If he can do that he can definitely keep me alive and since it’s Robin Williams I know he would make it a fun experience!
Follow her on Twitter @chelsearendon
Luciana Faulhaber
Luciana: This is the toughest question for me to answer since music is such a big part of me. My life always has its own soundtrack that keeps changing with time. At this moment I have been very much into musical theater soundtracks. I love how they transport me to another world and make me dream. Spring Awakening and Once are amongst my top albums and they find away back into my life year after year. However, I just saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch with Michael C Hall and those songs resonated with me. I would take the Hedwig and the Angry Inch album recorded by this cast and this rock and roll band. It has everything, love, loss, tenderness, anger, surrender and such an awesome band arrangement. I imagine I would feel all those things stranded on a deserted island and knowing someone else felt the same way once would make it a lot less deserted.
Film
Luciana: When I was a child, we only had one TV in my home. My mother would put us to sleep and I would wait until there was no more noise and I would sneak to the living room alone to watch TV. I grew up in Brazil and the show playing late was called the "Hour of the Owl." They only played black and white movies, which I loved. I would have to watch them with the sound off not to wake anymore. That's when I feel in love with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies. To this day these are the movies that made me fall in love with movies; that made me dream of love stories. If I could only take one film I would take "Top Hat" and dream of days that I only had to worry about my mother catching me up and sending me back to bed.
Book
Luciana: Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed. In this book, like her memoir, Cheryl shares so many stories of her personal life that get me to reflect on my own. An island would be the perfect time to reflect and come to peace with some of my own stories. Amongst so much beauty is a great place to find your best self. Like many people, the end of the year is a time looking back on the year. See how much was learned and lived and also a time of planning, of coming to terms and seeing ahead. A deserted island would be that multiplied and uninterrupted. And once I was rescued, because I believe I would, I could use all that I learned about myself and begin again, anew.
Fictional Character
Luciana: I would take Vincent from St. Vincent because he would have amazing stories to share! People are the only true endless source of knowledge. After my iPod runs out of charge and the music and the film are gone, after I've read my book so many times I've memorized it and burnt the pages for heat, we would still have our stories. Vincent was also a veteran so in practical terms he would not afraid of a battle for survival. He was also kind and compassionate. And truth is, besides the life we lived, what else can we really take with us from this world?
Follow her on Twitter @lufaulhaber
Yainis Ynoa
Album
Yainis: Right now my favorite is Taylor Swifts' 1989 album so I'll definitely take hers!
Film
Yainis: If I'm stuck in an island I'll have to have a comedy! So "Rush Hour 2" would be in my back pack!
Book
Yainis: The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho. I can read that book over and over again.
Fictional Character
Yainis: I'll choose Iron Man. He's smart and can fly, so he can get me off that island! Haha
Follow her on Twitter @YainisYnoa
Noemi Arte Gonzalez
Album
Noemi: The same album Starlord had in "Guardians of the Galaxy" only my version with more Michael Jackson tracks because he was abducted by aliens right when he lost his mom and he still turned out to be a badass! Goes to show you what music and art do to the soul.
Film
Noemi: I would take "Castaway." Duh!
Book
Noemi: My Shakespeare collection book. So I can act out the plays, play roles I wouldn’t traditionally be cast in, and find new discoveries every day.
Fictional Character
Noemi: Jack Sparrow. ‘nough said.
Follow her on Twitter @inoemigonzalez
Written by Juan Caceres . LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow [At]LatinoBuzz on Twitter and Facebook...
Jessica Molina
Album
Jessica: Easy! Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More. This album will never get old or played out to me. The band is not a Christian band, but I seriously have a spiritual experience when I listen to this album; the way they talk about love, life, doubt, joy – I go on a journey with them and I’m assuming if I’m stuck on a deserted island a journey in my mind will be a much needed escape. The lyrics along with brilliant accompaniment (I’m hooked the moment I hear a banjo) would make for awesome beach jam sessions or chill reflective nights by the fire. Note to self: learn how to build a campfire.
Film
Jessica: Alone on an island, I’ll need some good laughs! My film choice is "The Birdcage" starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane and Hank Azaria. My family has so many inside jokes related to this film, so it would be like having a little piece of home with me. I was really emotional when Robin Williams died and I tried to understand why his death felt personal. But it made sense considering I grew up on Robin Williams’ films. He’s apart of some of my favorites like "Hook," "Mrs. Doubtfire," "Aladdin," so without a doubt I’d want this film on the island with me.
Book
Jessica: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This feels like a cliché response, but I think that’s because it resonates with and inspires so many people. This book will always be timeless for me. The first time I read The Alchemist, it was like someone found my diary and wrote this book as a response to all my fears and questions. It inspired me to be true to myself and has offered me comfort in reminding me that God has a plan for my life.
Fictional Character
Jessica: Originally I was going to say Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games," but honestly, I don’t think she’s much of a conversationalist. Yeah, she can kill dinner for me, but I need someone who is going to keep things interesting too, so I’m going to go with Jake Ballard from Scandal because all that poor man wants to do is stand in the sun. Plus, he knows how to get a good bottle of wine to a remote island!
Follow her on Twitter @jessicahosts
Veronica Sixtos
Album
Veronica: If I were stuck on a deserted island having music to soothe my weary heart would make my loneliness bearable. The album Speak for Yourself by Imogen Heap would have to be it. I've listened to her powerful music throughout my childhood and even now as an adult the heavenly melodies and softness of her voice open up my heart in a way that make me want to love more as well as receive more love. She inspires hope and inner strength.
Film
Veronica: What film?...well let's see, my sister Andrea (Sixtos) already said "Cast Away" ( http://bitly.com/1ne929b) would be her choice so although it would be pretty useful I'd rather choose something else. No one likes a copy cat. I asked my boyfriend what he would bring and he responded with "Lord of the Flies" so in case other humans landed on the island he'd know how to take them out. I'm more of a team work, peace and love, hugs are scientifically proven to be beneficial to ones health, kinda gal. So, I don't think that would be my choice. Laughter is medicine. I'd take the movie "Knocked Up."
Book
Veronica: Autobiography of a Yogi. It would bring me back to spiritual reality which would then dissipate most of the fear and loneliness. If I'm consistently reminded of the divinity within myself a life of solitude wouldn't be so difficult to endure. I wouldn't have so many earthly distractions to interfere in my search for God. Perspective plays a huge part in survival. Let's just hope I don't have to get stuck on an island to truly figure that out.
Fictional Character
Veronica: Okay, I'm gonna cheat a little on this one. The question was which fictional character from film/tv would I bring as a companion... Well, my character originally comes from a cycle of books called The Inheritance Cycle. They did make a movie based on the first one in 2006 called "Eragon" of which I have refused to watch because of the fear of utter disappointment. I don't want anything to distort my beautiful depiction of the world of Alagaësia and all of the treasured characters within it. Anyway let's get back to answering the question. I would bring as my companion, Saphira Bjartskular, the blue dragon known to be the last of the female dragons remaining in the lands. I would hope to be fortunate enough to be magically bound to her by becoming her rider. We would read each others minds and feelings and she would protect me from danger and I'd cuddle up under her wings and feel the warmth of her fiery belly. Yay. Happy thoughts.
Follow her on Twitter @vero_sixtos
Catie Waters
Album
Catie: I would take Far by Regina Spektor. I first heard this album many years ago when a friend passed it on to me. I slowly fell in love with her sound and the entire album. I think it would be a perfect album to bring because I love the overall quirkiness and adventurous melodies it brings. Plus, listening to “Eet” on a deserted island for the rest of my days would not be so bad.
Film
Catie: There is no doubt; I would bring "Life is Beautiful." It’s an incredible story of a Jewish-Italian waiter and his young son being forced onto a train and taken to a concentration camp. In order to shelter and preserve his son’s innocence amidst the horrors of their environment, he assures his son their time spent in the camp is a game. His inspiring devotion to his son can give a spark to anyone in need of motivation. This movie would remind me to continue to be alive and kicking.
Book
Catie: It is a little tough to choose one because in all honesty knowing myself; I would want to take all of my books from my personal library. However, since I must choose one; I think Looking For Alaska by John Green would be a great read to have on a deserted island. I cannot tell you how many times I laughed so hard that I cried to crying a little for real while reading this book. For me, it is one of those books you can go back to again and again.
Fictional Character
Catie: Hands down, Cosmo Brown, from "Singin’ In The Rain" would be my chosen compadre. He is incredibly absolute in his optimism and is unfailing in finding resolve in any issue that is tossed his way. I believe his can-do attitude would lead the way to a successful survival.
Follow her on Twitter @CatieWaters
Corina Calderon
Film
Corina: So, Film would be "Urban Cowboy" with John Travolta and Debra Winger, hands down! My #1 Favorite movie. I had it on VHS when I was a little girl and I would and still can watch it over and over and always find something new that I've missed, its a love story, not perfect but real. Plus being a Tejana from the great lone star state ;) it’s a Texas based film with Great country music.
Book
Corina: Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho, it’s my favorite book and I still read it from time to time. That book changed my life forever. I still lived in Austin, Texas when I read that book for the first time but while reading it I finally summoned the courage to finally make my move to La to pursue my dreams as an actress no matter how scary or uncomfortable it seemed. It reminded me to be strong, have strong faith and trust my heart always and in any situation.
Album
Corina: That would definitely be Any of Selena’s albums. My two younger sisters and I grew up listening and dancing to her music. I met Selena and A.B. Quintanilla y Los Dinos for the first time in Matamoros, Mexico when I was about 4 or 5 and I was a fan instantly and forever. Watching Selena dance inspired me as a little girl to finally put my creativity into motion, giving me the courage to say, "If she can do it I can do it too!" She looked like me! She was Latina. Back then there weren't as many Latinos in the entertainment business and she really paved the way for a lot of us. Her music would remind me to not give up!
Fictional Character
Corina: Oh Man! That would be Jessica Lange as Fiona Goode in "American Horror Story Season 3". She's a bad bitch/witch who has all the powers as a supreme to survive or get through any situation no matter who or what stands in her way! She'd have my back! Aint nobody or nothin’ messin’ with us on that island.
Chelsea Rendon
Album
Chelsea: I have to go with Taylor Swift's new album 1989. I know it's a kinda lame answer since it just came out but I seriously love the album start to finish. It puts me in a good mood and if I'm stuck on an island I would definitely want to dance around to something to make me happy.
Film
Chelsea: I would go with one of my all time favorite movies "Friends With Benefits"! I have literally seen this movie at least 20 times and it never gets old! Seriously, I don't mind seeing it over and over again. Plus it has Justin Timberlake - Hello eye candy!
Book
Chelsea: Wilderness Survival For Dummies! It will help me stay alive and it wont be all complicated so I can understand it. Especially if I haven't had anything to eat for a while, my brain starts to shut down, so this book is perfect!
Fictional Character
Chelsea: I would go with Alan Parrish aka Robin Williams in "Jumanji." Hello it’s Robin Williams! But as his character he got swallowed up into the game and survived for years in the jungle. If he can do that he can definitely keep me alive and since it’s Robin Williams I know he would make it a fun experience!
Follow her on Twitter @chelsearendon
Luciana Faulhaber
Luciana: This is the toughest question for me to answer since music is such a big part of me. My life always has its own soundtrack that keeps changing with time. At this moment I have been very much into musical theater soundtracks. I love how they transport me to another world and make me dream. Spring Awakening and Once are amongst my top albums and they find away back into my life year after year. However, I just saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch with Michael C Hall and those songs resonated with me. I would take the Hedwig and the Angry Inch album recorded by this cast and this rock and roll band. It has everything, love, loss, tenderness, anger, surrender and such an awesome band arrangement. I imagine I would feel all those things stranded on a deserted island and knowing someone else felt the same way once would make it a lot less deserted.
Film
Luciana: When I was a child, we only had one TV in my home. My mother would put us to sleep and I would wait until there was no more noise and I would sneak to the living room alone to watch TV. I grew up in Brazil and the show playing late was called the "Hour of the Owl." They only played black and white movies, which I loved. I would have to watch them with the sound off not to wake anymore. That's when I feel in love with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies. To this day these are the movies that made me fall in love with movies; that made me dream of love stories. If I could only take one film I would take "Top Hat" and dream of days that I only had to worry about my mother catching me up and sending me back to bed.
Book
Luciana: Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed. In this book, like her memoir, Cheryl shares so many stories of her personal life that get me to reflect on my own. An island would be the perfect time to reflect and come to peace with some of my own stories. Amongst so much beauty is a great place to find your best self. Like many people, the end of the year is a time looking back on the year. See how much was learned and lived and also a time of planning, of coming to terms and seeing ahead. A deserted island would be that multiplied and uninterrupted. And once I was rescued, because I believe I would, I could use all that I learned about myself and begin again, anew.
Fictional Character
Luciana: I would take Vincent from St. Vincent because he would have amazing stories to share! People are the only true endless source of knowledge. After my iPod runs out of charge and the music and the film are gone, after I've read my book so many times I've memorized it and burnt the pages for heat, we would still have our stories. Vincent was also a veteran so in practical terms he would not afraid of a battle for survival. He was also kind and compassionate. And truth is, besides the life we lived, what else can we really take with us from this world?
Follow her on Twitter @lufaulhaber
Yainis Ynoa
Album
Yainis: Right now my favorite is Taylor Swifts' 1989 album so I'll definitely take hers!
Film
Yainis: If I'm stuck in an island I'll have to have a comedy! So "Rush Hour 2" would be in my back pack!
Book
Yainis: The Alchemist By Paulo Coelho. I can read that book over and over again.
Fictional Character
Yainis: I'll choose Iron Man. He's smart and can fly, so he can get me off that island! Haha
Follow her on Twitter @YainisYnoa
Noemi Arte Gonzalez
Album
Noemi: The same album Starlord had in "Guardians of the Galaxy" only my version with more Michael Jackson tracks because he was abducted by aliens right when he lost his mom and he still turned out to be a badass! Goes to show you what music and art do to the soul.
Film
Noemi: I would take "Castaway." Duh!
Book
Noemi: My Shakespeare collection book. So I can act out the plays, play roles I wouldn’t traditionally be cast in, and find new discoveries every day.
Fictional Character
Noemi: Jack Sparrow. ‘nough said.
Follow her on Twitter @inoemigonzalez
Written by Juan Caceres . LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow [At]LatinoBuzz on Twitter and Facebook...
- 12/31/2014
- by Juan Caceres
- Sydney's Buzz
The summer just got hotter with the return of the “East Los High: Season 2!” Since the first class graduated they’ve had some bragging rights like being the number one show on Hulu Latino and top five overall in programming. Not too shabby for an all Latino cast who gained a legion of faithful fans called “ELHAddicts!” Well, there’s a new cast (and some familiar faces) to bring the ruckus to East Los High School! LatinoBuzz decided to welcome them by throwing them on a deserted island, (like we did these filmmakers Here ) to fend for themselves. They were allowed to pick a film, an album, a book and a companion from the movies to join them.
Andrea Sixtos
Film: That's an easy one… “Cast Away!” It's pretty much a survival guide on how to live on an island! I think I'd find it extremely resourceful. It's also one of my favorite movies, so it'd also be my entertainment. A two-in-one package, baby!
Album: I would take an album that would keep me relaxed, strong, hopeful and inspired just in case I start to lose faith that I'll ever get off the island. It would have to be “Diary” by Veronica Sixtos. I know it's my sister’s music and all but I'm not being biased. Her lyrics are so empowering, they give you strength and make you realize your worth in an honest and brave way. It would also remind me of the love I have for my family, which that in itself is all the inspiration I need to survive!
Book: I'm gonna be super practical with this one, I would bring the “Us Air Force Survival Handbook.” It covers shelter, nutrition, navigation, evasion, psychology, equipment, injury and illness. Boom! All I need. There's no way I'd be taking a fictional book when my life is at stake!
Companion: Katniss Everdeen from “The Hunger Games” of course! She's a survival genius. She can teach me everything she knows, and together, we'd become the strongest, smartest, deadliest, most wild women who ever lived. Who knows? Maybe we'll even build an island fortress and live there until we're ready to build a boat and leave.
Vannessa Vasquez
Film: I think, for me, it would have to be one of my all time favorite Disney movies "The Lion King.” One, it has great music to sing along to, and Simba also goes out to be on his own and meets Timon and Pumba. So if things ever get out of wack all I have to do is find some animal friends and sing "hakuna matata." That's pretty smart.
Album: Gloria Estefan's “Greatest Hits” album. Ever since I was a little girl one of my all time favorite artists has been Gloria. There's so much life in her music and it has an island feel to it. I can definitely see myself being stuck on a desert island singing, "Come on shake your body baby do that Conga!"
Book : My all time favorite book is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. It’s a book about following your dreams, trusting that life has a plan for you, all you have to do is have faith. It has so much knowledge of the universe and our spiritual journeys. I can read that book over and over and get something new from it each time.
Companion : I’ve seen Jack Sparrow in action. I would love to have him as my companion. I would never get bored. He's super funny, smart and witty. He definitely knows how to fight, so he would be a good protector. Plus his black eyeliner makes him super sexy. If we ever had to keep humanity going that wouldn't be a problem!
Ray Diaz
Film : It would be “Rush Hour!” There’s enough action and comedy in this film to last a lifetime. Just thinking about Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker puts a smile on my face. Not to mention that they would probably inspire me to make a game out of my time on this lonely island. The only tricky part would be choosing one, two or three. But maybe if I’m lucky I could just have the box set.
Album: When it comes to music, I have such eclectic taste, but Nelly’s “Country Grammar” album would have to be the winner here. I remember this album getting me so many girls that maybe even on a deserted island it could give me the same kind of luck.
Book : “Quarterback’s Demon” written by C.K Laurence would be the book I choose. It was the first book I read when I started modeling and it inspired me to be more then what I thought I could be.
Companion : The winner is Tom Hanks in “Cast Away”. Think it about it — “Cast Away”, “Captain Phillips”, and “Saving Private Ryan”. Tom has got your back! He’s been in these situations so many times that it would be a play ground for us out there with, “Rush Hour” on the palm tree screen and Nelly’s "Country Grammar" bumping out of two big coconuts.
Alex Segal
Film: “The Wizard of Oz”... The movie has always held a special meaning for me. Growing up, I watched it all the time. It always made me feel content, calm and at ease… Not to mention I'm a big Judy Garland fan.
Album: At the moment I am beyond obsessed with Sam Smith's “In The Lonely Hour”. Such amazing stuff... Love what he's doing. But an all time favorite would probably have to be Mariah Carey's “The # 1’s.” Her music would probably distract me from remembering that I'm stuck on a deserted island!
Book: I read “The Power of Now” a while ago and still go back and re-read it. Whatever you're going through, it's important to know that your mind is extremely powerful. This book would probably help me get through a lot of obstacles while being on this island.
Companion I would bring: I would probably bring Angelina Jolie… Not only is she pretty bad ass, I would also want to see what she's like behind all of that... Woman empowerment!!!
Vivian Lamolli
Film : I am going with “Hair”, the 1979 war comedy-drama and film adaption of the 1968 Original Broadway Musical. I had the pleasure of playing Dionne in the Tony award-winning musical and that time just brought so much light to my life. Since I might be spending time alone, that magic of togetherness and closeness of the tribe depicted, would completely continue to give me a mindset of happiness, beauty and family...even if I were on my last coconut.
Album : As a musician, I have a very eclectic style that I listen to, write, and perform. I would be bringing along "Vivian's Delightful, Meditative, and Explosive Mixed Tape." The mixed tape would include Amy Winehouse "Back to Black," Kings of Leon "Sex On Fire," Frank Ocean "Forrest Gump," Marc Anthony "Vivir lo Nuestro," Celia Cruz "La Vida Es Un Carnaval," Crystal Lewis "People Get Ready," Justin Timberlake “Señorita," Christina Aguilera “Fighter," Lauryn Hill "Doo Wop, That Thing," Michael Jackson "Do You Remember the Time," Young the Giant "Cough Syrup," 1 Musical Theatre Song "In the Heights Finale," Stacy Orrico “Genuine," Natalie Imbruglia “Torn," Alanis Morissette "Head Over Heels," Radiohead “Creep," Fiona Apple "Paper Bag," No Doubt “Spiderwebs," Shakira "Dare You,” and Jason Aldean "My Kinda Party." I handpicked most of these songs to perform at one point or another and they still speak to me. Without music it is a bland world and that is the last thing I would want to recreate on a secluded island... let's spice it up a bit!
Book : When I imagine myself keeping the faith and hope on this island where times will get rough, I imagine reading the book of Proverbs. The Bible would keep me company and serve as a ray of sunshine when in the midst of despair. When I was a little girl my father was away a lot whether it be on missions for the military or just training for the next one. The books he would read to me and my sister were thin children's books; each was a different Bible story. Boy, did I love those moments and everything brings me back home thinking and reading these stories.
Companion : I choose Jared Leto to be my shipwrecked buddy. I've been not only impressed with the man for years, but he has always peaked my interest from speaking about work to personal experiences. To have that type of storyteller and lover of the world with me would be absolutely mind-blowing. I'm sure he would present many ideas of how to survive or how not to stress under the circumstances, and just live in our present state-of-being.
Ashley Campuzano
Film: "Pearl Harbor" directed by Michael Bay. "Pearl Harbor" does a great job of portraying how everyday lives were affected by the horrific incidents of World War II. The film even depicts details from the point of view of President Fdr at the time of battle, before and after.
Book: "The Great Gatsby" has been one of my favorite novels since the first time I read it in high school. F. Scott Fitzgerald's writing style made it an easy read and completely relatable to anyone who has ever been in or contemplated love. ‘Gatsby,’ although false to his name, stood by everything he wanted and never backed down. He was resilient and knew what he wanted and for that I respect what he went through.
Album: I listen to Selena almost everyday to remind myself of what a great role model she was to the Latino community. Not only was her music catchy and loved by millions but she moved us Latinos by what she stood for. Her legacy reminds us of what hard work can attain. She inspires me daily to work hard for what I want and to never give up on my dreams.
Companion: I am an easygoing person and all I truly desire is to be constantly entertained. To me, Jim Carrey is the ultimate comedian and I would enjoy spending the rest of my days laughing with someone as brilliant as him. His acting inspires me to push myself to the limit. His performances can be breathtakingly hilarious, or positively heartbreaking, and for that he wins my heart.
Rick Mancia
Film: For my film, I'm going with "The Pursuit of Happiness”. This movie really hits home for me. I saw my pops work & fight adversity to provide us with a better life, much like Will Smith's character in it. I love the feeling I get seeing people achieve their dreams after working so hard despite adversity and keeping hope through it all. If I were stranded, hope is the only thing that would keep me going.
Book: I’ve been a musician most of my life so I listen to it all. It’s hard to pick one album; can I take a 80Gb iPod? If I had to pick one, I would go with "Vheissu" by Thrice. It's such a well balanced album beyond its time (2005). It’s one of those albums and bands that take you on an emotional roller coaster and that’s what I aim to do, make people feel things they're not used to feeling!
Album: Since I only read books from the Self Help section, I would choose "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. I'm a believer that now is the only moment. Therefore to keep myself sane on an island I'd have to be in the moment, thinking about how I got there would cause depression, thinking if I will ever get out would cause anxiety, but dealing with the tasks at hand would provide the most peace of mind possible.
Companion: I’m going to be cliché for my companion and go with Chuck Noland played by Tom Hanks in “Castaway.” Why? Well, I’m trying to survive and I don’t want to die! He seemed to do Ok and I'll need all the help I can get. And on the bright side, we'll be BFFs and have no need for Wilson.
Jeremy Chavarria
Film: It would probably be something romantic like “Twilight” or “The Notebook.” If I'm on an island with one person (a girl of course) the film would create a nice setting to go along with sounds of the waves, the sunset, coconuts, etc.
Album: You can't go wrong with Coldplay! “Parachutes” is one of my favorite albums. You just can't go wrong with them. Beautiful music with a beautiful setting and a beautiful woman. Can I get an “Amen?!”
Book: That's easy, my Bible! Arguably the most amazing love story ever told. Filled with lessons and examples of how to be better in all aspects of life in any given situation. My Foundation of who I am lies in that book. I can't live without it. My love letters in a book.
Companion: T hat's tough! From a film it would have to be Megan Fox. First name that came up to mind, but Superman would be cool.
Catch ‘East Los High: Season 2’ exclusively on Hulu.com at http://www.hulu.com/east-los-high starting today July 9th!
Written by Juan Caceres , LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow [At]LatinoBuzz on Twitter and Facebook...
Andrea Sixtos
Film: That's an easy one… “Cast Away!” It's pretty much a survival guide on how to live on an island! I think I'd find it extremely resourceful. It's also one of my favorite movies, so it'd also be my entertainment. A two-in-one package, baby!
Album: I would take an album that would keep me relaxed, strong, hopeful and inspired just in case I start to lose faith that I'll ever get off the island. It would have to be “Diary” by Veronica Sixtos. I know it's my sister’s music and all but I'm not being biased. Her lyrics are so empowering, they give you strength and make you realize your worth in an honest and brave way. It would also remind me of the love I have for my family, which that in itself is all the inspiration I need to survive!
Book: I'm gonna be super practical with this one, I would bring the “Us Air Force Survival Handbook.” It covers shelter, nutrition, navigation, evasion, psychology, equipment, injury and illness. Boom! All I need. There's no way I'd be taking a fictional book when my life is at stake!
Companion: Katniss Everdeen from “The Hunger Games” of course! She's a survival genius. She can teach me everything she knows, and together, we'd become the strongest, smartest, deadliest, most wild women who ever lived. Who knows? Maybe we'll even build an island fortress and live there until we're ready to build a boat and leave.
Vannessa Vasquez
Film: I think, for me, it would have to be one of my all time favorite Disney movies "The Lion King.” One, it has great music to sing along to, and Simba also goes out to be on his own and meets Timon and Pumba. So if things ever get out of wack all I have to do is find some animal friends and sing "hakuna matata." That's pretty smart.
Album: Gloria Estefan's “Greatest Hits” album. Ever since I was a little girl one of my all time favorite artists has been Gloria. There's so much life in her music and it has an island feel to it. I can definitely see myself being stuck on a desert island singing, "Come on shake your body baby do that Conga!"
Book : My all time favorite book is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. It’s a book about following your dreams, trusting that life has a plan for you, all you have to do is have faith. It has so much knowledge of the universe and our spiritual journeys. I can read that book over and over and get something new from it each time.
Companion : I’ve seen Jack Sparrow in action. I would love to have him as my companion. I would never get bored. He's super funny, smart and witty. He definitely knows how to fight, so he would be a good protector. Plus his black eyeliner makes him super sexy. If we ever had to keep humanity going that wouldn't be a problem!
Ray Diaz
Film : It would be “Rush Hour!” There’s enough action and comedy in this film to last a lifetime. Just thinking about Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker puts a smile on my face. Not to mention that they would probably inspire me to make a game out of my time on this lonely island. The only tricky part would be choosing one, two or three. But maybe if I’m lucky I could just have the box set.
Album: When it comes to music, I have such eclectic taste, but Nelly’s “Country Grammar” album would have to be the winner here. I remember this album getting me so many girls that maybe even on a deserted island it could give me the same kind of luck.
Book : “Quarterback’s Demon” written by C.K Laurence would be the book I choose. It was the first book I read when I started modeling and it inspired me to be more then what I thought I could be.
Companion : The winner is Tom Hanks in “Cast Away”. Think it about it — “Cast Away”, “Captain Phillips”, and “Saving Private Ryan”. Tom has got your back! He’s been in these situations so many times that it would be a play ground for us out there with, “Rush Hour” on the palm tree screen and Nelly’s "Country Grammar" bumping out of two big coconuts.
Alex Segal
Film: “The Wizard of Oz”... The movie has always held a special meaning for me. Growing up, I watched it all the time. It always made me feel content, calm and at ease… Not to mention I'm a big Judy Garland fan.
Album: At the moment I am beyond obsessed with Sam Smith's “In The Lonely Hour”. Such amazing stuff... Love what he's doing. But an all time favorite would probably have to be Mariah Carey's “The # 1’s.” Her music would probably distract me from remembering that I'm stuck on a deserted island!
Book: I read “The Power of Now” a while ago and still go back and re-read it. Whatever you're going through, it's important to know that your mind is extremely powerful. This book would probably help me get through a lot of obstacles while being on this island.
Companion I would bring: I would probably bring Angelina Jolie… Not only is she pretty bad ass, I would also want to see what she's like behind all of that... Woman empowerment!!!
Vivian Lamolli
Film : I am going with “Hair”, the 1979 war comedy-drama and film adaption of the 1968 Original Broadway Musical. I had the pleasure of playing Dionne in the Tony award-winning musical and that time just brought so much light to my life. Since I might be spending time alone, that magic of togetherness and closeness of the tribe depicted, would completely continue to give me a mindset of happiness, beauty and family...even if I were on my last coconut.
Album : As a musician, I have a very eclectic style that I listen to, write, and perform. I would be bringing along "Vivian's Delightful, Meditative, and Explosive Mixed Tape." The mixed tape would include Amy Winehouse "Back to Black," Kings of Leon "Sex On Fire," Frank Ocean "Forrest Gump," Marc Anthony "Vivir lo Nuestro," Celia Cruz "La Vida Es Un Carnaval," Crystal Lewis "People Get Ready," Justin Timberlake “Señorita," Christina Aguilera “Fighter," Lauryn Hill "Doo Wop, That Thing," Michael Jackson "Do You Remember the Time," Young the Giant "Cough Syrup," 1 Musical Theatre Song "In the Heights Finale," Stacy Orrico “Genuine," Natalie Imbruglia “Torn," Alanis Morissette "Head Over Heels," Radiohead “Creep," Fiona Apple "Paper Bag," No Doubt “Spiderwebs," Shakira "Dare You,” and Jason Aldean "My Kinda Party." I handpicked most of these songs to perform at one point or another and they still speak to me. Without music it is a bland world and that is the last thing I would want to recreate on a secluded island... let's spice it up a bit!
Book : When I imagine myself keeping the faith and hope on this island where times will get rough, I imagine reading the book of Proverbs. The Bible would keep me company and serve as a ray of sunshine when in the midst of despair. When I was a little girl my father was away a lot whether it be on missions for the military or just training for the next one. The books he would read to me and my sister were thin children's books; each was a different Bible story. Boy, did I love those moments and everything brings me back home thinking and reading these stories.
Companion : I choose Jared Leto to be my shipwrecked buddy. I've been not only impressed with the man for years, but he has always peaked my interest from speaking about work to personal experiences. To have that type of storyteller and lover of the world with me would be absolutely mind-blowing. I'm sure he would present many ideas of how to survive or how not to stress under the circumstances, and just live in our present state-of-being.
Ashley Campuzano
Film: "Pearl Harbor" directed by Michael Bay. "Pearl Harbor" does a great job of portraying how everyday lives were affected by the horrific incidents of World War II. The film even depicts details from the point of view of President Fdr at the time of battle, before and after.
Book: "The Great Gatsby" has been one of my favorite novels since the first time I read it in high school. F. Scott Fitzgerald's writing style made it an easy read and completely relatable to anyone who has ever been in or contemplated love. ‘Gatsby,’ although false to his name, stood by everything he wanted and never backed down. He was resilient and knew what he wanted and for that I respect what he went through.
Album: I listen to Selena almost everyday to remind myself of what a great role model she was to the Latino community. Not only was her music catchy and loved by millions but she moved us Latinos by what she stood for. Her legacy reminds us of what hard work can attain. She inspires me daily to work hard for what I want and to never give up on my dreams.
Companion: I am an easygoing person and all I truly desire is to be constantly entertained. To me, Jim Carrey is the ultimate comedian and I would enjoy spending the rest of my days laughing with someone as brilliant as him. His acting inspires me to push myself to the limit. His performances can be breathtakingly hilarious, or positively heartbreaking, and for that he wins my heart.
Rick Mancia
Film: For my film, I'm going with "The Pursuit of Happiness”. This movie really hits home for me. I saw my pops work & fight adversity to provide us with a better life, much like Will Smith's character in it. I love the feeling I get seeing people achieve their dreams after working so hard despite adversity and keeping hope through it all. If I were stranded, hope is the only thing that would keep me going.
Book: I’ve been a musician most of my life so I listen to it all. It’s hard to pick one album; can I take a 80Gb iPod? If I had to pick one, I would go with "Vheissu" by Thrice. It's such a well balanced album beyond its time (2005). It’s one of those albums and bands that take you on an emotional roller coaster and that’s what I aim to do, make people feel things they're not used to feeling!
Album: Since I only read books from the Self Help section, I would choose "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. I'm a believer that now is the only moment. Therefore to keep myself sane on an island I'd have to be in the moment, thinking about how I got there would cause depression, thinking if I will ever get out would cause anxiety, but dealing with the tasks at hand would provide the most peace of mind possible.
Companion: I’m going to be cliché for my companion and go with Chuck Noland played by Tom Hanks in “Castaway.” Why? Well, I’m trying to survive and I don’t want to die! He seemed to do Ok and I'll need all the help I can get. And on the bright side, we'll be BFFs and have no need for Wilson.
Jeremy Chavarria
Film: It would probably be something romantic like “Twilight” or “The Notebook.” If I'm on an island with one person (a girl of course) the film would create a nice setting to go along with sounds of the waves, the sunset, coconuts, etc.
Album: You can't go wrong with Coldplay! “Parachutes” is one of my favorite albums. You just can't go wrong with them. Beautiful music with a beautiful setting and a beautiful woman. Can I get an “Amen?!”
Book: That's easy, my Bible! Arguably the most amazing love story ever told. Filled with lessons and examples of how to be better in all aspects of life in any given situation. My Foundation of who I am lies in that book. I can't live without it. My love letters in a book.
Companion: T hat's tough! From a film it would have to be Megan Fox. First name that came up to mind, but Superman would be cool.
Catch ‘East Los High: Season 2’ exclusively on Hulu.com at http://www.hulu.com/east-los-high starting today July 9th!
Written by Juan Caceres , LatinoBuzz is a weekly feature on SydneysBuzz that highlights Latino indie talent and upcoming trends in Latino film with the specific objective of presenting a broad range of Latino voices. Follow [At]LatinoBuzz on Twitter and Facebook...
- 7/9/2014
- by Juan Caceres
- Sydney's Buzz
Director: Tony Vidal Writer(s): Tony Vidal (screeplay) Starring: Matt Angel, Ken Davitian, Veronica Sixtos, Madison Riley, Georges Corraface, Jareb Dauplaise, Devon Werkheiser, Robert Adamson, Kurt Fuller The Pranksters are a clandestine group of high school misfits who have dedicated their teenage years to combating the social inequities and hateful cliques inherent in high school. Their random acts of subterfuge are designed to make people more open towards the differences of others; they just want everyone to chill out and loosen the heck up.
- 10/8/2010
- by Don Simpson
- SmellsLikeScreenSpirit
Supporting indie film, we now offer you images from Strand Releasing's "The Prankster" which opens in limited venues on September 28th. The Tony Vidal-helmed, written and produced comedy stars Matt Angel, Veronica Sixtos, Kurt Fuller, Michaela Watkins, Maiara Walsh, Robert Adamson and Devon Werkheiser. Also in the cast are Madison Riley, Jareb Dauplaise, Ally Maki, Marcella Lentz-Pope, Preston Davis, Danny Max, Kunal Sharma, Ken Davitan and Georges Corraface. Chris Karas is the brilliant leader of The Pranksters, a secret society that rights the wrongs of high school by pulling sophisticated pranks on deserving oppressors. But with graduation looming, Chris longs for more from life. Guided by the homespun wisdom of his charmingly eccentric Uncle Nick, Chris embarks on a challenging path of self-discovery and romance...
- 6/7/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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