My wish for Chicano/a, Mexican American actors, writers, directors, producers, for the holidays, is to understand, that we are all in this together. That we should prefer to see one of us, on screen, instead of non-Latinos, portraying us, over and over again. I have shown a rough cut of our movie, to a few confidantes. One of them, stated that I had created more competition, for myself, as the actors in my movie, are Chicano, and in my age range, etc. In other words, they will be competing with me, for future roles, in future projects. I laughed and agreed. He then asked me, why I was not worried. I told him, that even if I never worked another day in my life, I would be fine with it; as long as one of us Latinos, beat me for those roles. I mean that. I pledge to do, what should have been done by others, before me. I pledge, to write, direct, and or produce, movies about us, whether they be modern urban stories, or historical, cultural stories. I pledge to cast real Chicanos, as Chicanos, real Puerto Ricans as Puerto Ricans, real Cubanos as Cubans, etc. At the very least, I will always cast real Latinos, in Latino roles, and non-Latino roles. I pledge to give opportunities to Latino crews, above and below the line crew. From the Director of Photography, all the way to the PAs. I will never, ever cast a non-Latino, as Latino, unless a Latino, is playing a lead non-Latino role, in the same production. Heck, I do not ever see myself, casting a non-Latino actor, as Latino. It makes no sense. I have to explain, too much to them. A real Latino actor, does not need to be schooled by me, taught what a Latino persons perspective is, etc. Quite simply, Latino actors, are the best choices, for Latino roles. A long time ago, I wrote an article for the Los Angeles Times. Fridas Story: Artistic Choice, or Cultural Catastrophe? - August 10, 1992 - Los Angeles Times. Because I wrote that piece, and many Chicanos, protested against Italian American actress, Laura San Giacomo, playing Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo; that project was cancelled. Later, a real Mexican actress, Salma Hayek, played Frida Kahlo. We did that. It is a much better movie, than it would have been, with a non-Latina, playing Frida. I am proud of that. We can shape our future. I pledge to do just that. Now, I need to find some more work, more funds, to complete our amazing movie, THE LAST BROWN BERET. We are almost done. The cast: Daniel E. Mora, Randy Vasquez, Vance Valencia, Del Zamora, Linda Lopez Campo, Karen E. Wright, Ingrid Oliu, David Castro Director of Photography - Hilda Mercado. Editor Emmanuel Salgado Co-producer Jenna Urban Based on the play, The Last Angry Brown Hat by Alfred Ramos
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 03:32:09 +0000