The Phoenix Film Festival wrapped up 11 days of great entertainment. The Festival showcased 175 feature and short films. Two films that stood out were Check, Please! From Bear Den Entertainment Produced by Janet Salas and Directed by Victor Vargas. And Rich Kids from Director Laura Somers.
It’s been a year since we last interviewed Salas, who is currently a graduate student at ASU. And co-owner of Bear Den Entertainment her new production studio.
Latinaology – Tell me about Check, Please!
Salas- “Excited to back to the Phoenix Film Festival with Check, Please! A short story about a guy who gets stood up on a blind date and his friend to compensate sets him up on different blind dates and each one is crazier than the other.”
Latinaology – What are the biggest challenges Latina filmmakers face?
Salas – “The biggest challenge for filmmakers, at least for me is that I want to tell the story right. There are such few stories that are being told by Latinas for Latinos. I want to make sure I tell the story as accurately and as well as I can. It takes time to write a good script.”
Latinaology- How do you see the future of film post Coco and Black Panther?
Salas- “The feel the future is going to show more of those minority characters being the lead actors which we haven’t seen so much in the past”
Check, Please!
Synopsis
The delightful witty film centers on Gabe who’s been stood up, so his friend Ralph to set him up on a blind date so his table won’t go to waste. When the date doesn’t go so smooth, Ralph keeps bringing more blind dates, which has Gabe begging for the check.
Another sold out film at the Phoenix Film Festival was Rich Kids Directed and co-written by Laura Somers this original gem of a script tells us the story of a group of poor Latinos whom dare to dream of what being rich might be like.
I got to meet Somers and the cast of Rich Kids at the festival.
Latinaology- Tell me about the premises of the story, which is based on a real-life story.
Somers –“In the neighborhood I grew up in, there was a road that separated the upper class and the low income class in the middle my family built a huge house and it was always getting broken in to by both curious neighbors. In the film I wanted to tell the story from the perspective of the poor kids versus the home owners. The film is also about social inequality. “
Latinaology – As a female director how important was having a diverse crew and cast?
Somer – “As a female director it was very important for me, to highlight diversity. I ha a Latino cast and co-writer David Saldana and Producer. I also had a woman editor and cinematographer as I strongly believe we need to help each other because there are not a lot of opportunities for us. For out stories to be told “
Rich Kids
Synopsis
A group of troubled teens from low-income community resolve to break into “ Los Ricos”, the local mansion with a border fence, in order to forget their difficult lives and experience a different one.
Stars: Gerardo M Velasquez, Justin Rodriguez, Michelle Magallon
If you want to see more latino/latinas themed films and latin talent – GO and Support the Films at the box office.
Until next time,
Sandra
