Latino American Movies: Who’s making them and who’s not?
(photo Fancisco Ordonez, Angel, Franc. Reyes)
It was at NALIP that we met Franc. Reyes or should I say we smacked into the culture of Franc. Reyes. If you know Franc…you understand what I mean. If you don’t know him…then brace yourself. Talking to Franc is like facing a freight train at full speed; It’s powerful and filled with some major conviction! Here’s just a sampling of what we heard:
• “Latino Power” in Hollywood is almost an oxymoron.
• White filmmakers making Latino themed films are given the benefit of doubt by Hollywood and Latinos in Hollywood, before it is given to American Latino filmmakers.
• Latinos in Hollywood have to create their own Hollywood stars.
• Latinos in the movie business have no one else to blame but themselves for the lack of onscreen representation.
• If a white filmmaker makes a drug dealer themed film it wins awards, if an American Latino makes the same film it’s called stereotypical by Latinos in Hollywood.
As we sat down in the lounge area of a posh Newport Beach Hotel, Angel began the interview as I took frantic notes.
Angel began by asking Franc about his background, which you can hear in our audio interview (below photo), have a listen, we promise, you will find it just as fascinating.
As the interview continued, Franc’s answers at first seemed to be very narrow minded, militant, and even borderline racist.
Angel proceeded and asked, “Are you a Latino filmmaker?”
Franc without hesitation answered, “Absolutely!” He continued, that he is a Latino filmmaker because he is an American Latino, telling good American stories with Latinos in them.
Angel followed up with. “Are Latino films Latino because of the director, story, or audience?
Franc replied with a question, “Is “Do The Right Thing”, a Black film?” and then followed up with, “It’s a Black film because of all the above. That said, a good film whether Black, Latino or other, will have mass appeal. I make movies for the general public, the people who work at Target or Starbucks, they’re my audience.”
At this point, things got very interesting; Franc stated that, ““Mi Vida Loca” is not a Latino film anymore than “Color Purple” is a black film. These films are not treated as films “of color” by Hollywood. Though I loved both films, “Color Purple” was treated like a Steven Spielberg movie and “Mi Vida Loca” like and Alison Anders movie.”
I could see Angel was finding it challenging to listen and not debate Franc.
Franc, went on to say, “When white filmmakers make films about American Latinos in a hardcore situation ie: Scarface, Traffic, Maria Full Of Grace, they’re treated as a “study of Latinos in their habitat”. Therefore intellectualized into something greater than itself. When Latinos do it [make the same type of films], ie: American Me, Empire, Illegal Tender, etc. they are labeled as a “perpetuation of stereotypes” by Latino intellectuals in Hollywood.”
As Franc passionately stated, the problem is not the Hollywood establishment, the problem is with us Latinos! We have only ourselves to blame for not being represented on the big screen. The answer is to “empower ourselves” and make it happen now! It is possible.
How is it possible? Franc offered these truisms:
• Latinos in Hollywood should empower themselves. No one is going to give Latinos anything; Latinos have to create their own prosperity. A page off of the African American experience in Hollywood.
• Work with other Latinos. We are skilled and know how to make motion pictures.
• Be very involved in marketing your own films.
• Persevere
Franc also stated that he makes commercial Latin films to entertain and make money, but that he tells stories with truth. His stories are told from the inside, from an informed and experienced viewpoint. He aims to empower his characters, to live their lives on their own terms.
As our first part of our interview with Franc came to an end, we found that he was not narrow minded or racist, but in his words “simply Pro Latino.”
Angel and I had been hit by the train of Franc. Reyes and smacked with some new insights into American Latino filmmakers that are making it happen. It was an education that could only come from a man with vision, intelligence and laser beam passion.
You MUST not leave this page without listening to the inspiring audio interview with Franc. for more fascinating dialog from Franc.
Here’s a brief lowdown on what Franc is about:
Franc. established Alumbra Films in 2007
The Ministers – written and directed by Franc, comes out in October; (we went to a screening and it’s definitely a cool flick!)
Tenement – a supernatural horror written and to be directed by Franc. Reyes.
Brutality – Written and Produced by Franc. Reyes. To be Directed by Carlos Berrios
Blood Of The Martyr – Written and Produced by Franc. Reyes. To be Directed by Francisco Ordonez
Let The Music Play – a documentary Written and Directed by Carlos Berrios. Executive Produced by Franc. Reyes
We think his schedule speaks for itself…
With gratitude,
Pablo
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[...] admin placed an observative post today on Latino American Movies: Franc. Reyes Interview | Latino Hispanic …Here’s a quick excerptInspiration from a mover and shaker in the film industry. [...]
Great interview from multiple levels. I gained insights on the movie making process, a perspective from a Latino screen writer and director, the true value of a project, how what’s going on in society affects the release of a project, and much much more.
I look forward to seeing Franc’s upcoming projects!
@JoselinMane’s last blog post..Get discovered online! The NATPE/NEXT TV Competition
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I’m not even Latino but I found this interview quite good, especially the podcasting. I understand someones experience from within a culture gives them a unique perspective, I guess I just need to know what it means to be Latino. Is it language, race, food, music?
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admin Reply:
May 12th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
That’s a good question Jory. Paul is doing a post on culture that should make for some interesting conversation…
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If a film is good, who cares who makes it?
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Latinos in the movie business have no one else to blame but themselves for the lack of onscreen representation.
I don’t agree w/this statement. As a Latina filmmaker, I have worked w/many other talented Latino Filmmakers who have independently made their films since the 90’s. Maybe they haven’t been as successful as Franc Reyes but if you don’t have money or access to huge amounts of money you cannot make a film. Franc Reyes has studio backing for his films. Thats the difference between him and many other Latino filmmakers.
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What I referred to as “lack of representation” has nothing to do with whether we as Latinos have made films or not. Plenty of Latinos have made films. I was talking about Latino representation in Hollywood. Every film I’ve made Empire, Illegal Tender and The Ministers I’ve made with independent financing by three different financiers. I sold the film to a “studio” only after the film was made in what is called a “negative pickup deal”. Access to money for films in NYC is hard for any Latino including and especially someone from The South Bronx. Until this day not one Studio has yet to finance my films.
Peace
Franc. Reyes
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There was very little in Mr. Reyes’s interview that I disagreed with. The present self appointed powers that be in the Latino film community marginalize as dismiss well written and well directed films based on genre and support and promote mediocre and poorly crafted work simply for political and social reasons.
The plethora of Latino Film festivals would make one believe that there are many avenues available to showcase many American Latino voices when in reality most films in “Latino” film festivals are foreign films. Many state funded films from around the world with over seas star power and distribution in place. It is disheartening when you find out that not a single American Latino film is included in many Latino film festivals. One Latino film festival I was fortunate to get accepted to, I was the only American Latino film accepted. These are film festivals in the United States mostly run by American Latinos. The general public and Hollywood loses faith in the “Latino” film community’s ability to recognize quality filmmaking. Don’t get me wrong. I know many good Latino films get support from our film community but so many times its some slow paced sad story that belongs on the WE channel or some immigration story about some poor pathetic bastard getting their Ass kicked again. When it comes to sex or violence the “Latino” film community turns into the Harper Valley PTA. We self censor ourselves right out of the ratings or box office and killing opportunities for Latino actors to gain recognition. Network TV’s “King Pin”, a crime drama about a Mexican drug cartel, was one of the best written, timely and best opportunities to developed Latino “stars” probably ever and was killed by a myopic short sighted and small but loud segment of the “Latino” media community.
So instead we make safe politically correct films that lack the wide appeal and have limited box office success. Box office success is the only way we will develope our Latino stars and filmmakers. Clint Eastwood came from spaghetti westerns. Woody Allen came from silly little slapstick comedies. Martin Scorsese’s first film was with Roger Corman. In the week of the Nalip conference “Sin Nombre” a violent film about the world of Salvadorian street gangs and one of the best-reviewed films of the year was not mentioned by anyone in any speech or panel. The fast and Furious 3 was barely mentioned in one panel to admit that it was the number one grossing film that week. More Latinos bought tickets to the Fast and Furious 3 than any other film. I kept hearing the question “Why aren’t we as Latino’s not having more of an impact on Hollywood?” The question is disingenuous because the answer is known and ignored like the elephant in the corner with a lampshade on its head. As long as the self appointed powers that be in the “Latino” art film community pretend it’s a lamp and not an elephant we will continue to sabotage our influence on Hollywood and the general public.
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