Photos Courtesy of Paola Mendoza & Gloria La Morte

About the Film

In Entre Nos, adoring mother Mariana has toted her two children from Colombia to New York City to indulge her husband’s whim. But when he abruptly abandons the family, she’ll have to rely on her own imagination and courage – and that of her remarkable kids – to survive insurmountable odds during their first summer in the United States. Disoriented in this foreign place without fifty dollars to her name, Mariana will collect cans to provide a first sense of economic stability for her family.

One Vision, Two Voices:  An Interview with Directors, Paola Mendoza & Gloria La Morte by Dora Leticia

With all of the interviews sparked by the Tribeca Film Festival World Premiere – I would like to start this interview with a slightly different approach…

Directors & Cast (left to right) Gloria La Morte, Laura Cortez, Paola Mendoza, Sebastian Villada Lopez

LE: Tell me one thing about yourselves and the film that no one knows, but, a thought that you would like to shed some light on.

Entre Nos Directors, Paola Mendoza & Gloria La Morte

GLM: We began this film 3 years ago when I had just given birth to my son Emile and being a mom was very, very new to me.  The challenge of making Entre Nos was also going to be one of the biggest challenges in my professional life.  So, for me these last three years have been a culmination of the most challenging things, on a personal level, and on a professional level, being co-director and co-editor (of Entre Nos).  It makes me that much more proud because of my son.  I think that every minute that we spent in the writing room, editing room, and on the set…means a lot more because every minute is that much more valuable.

PM: For me, I guess it would be, when Gloria and I first started writing the film.  We didn’t have any expectations as to who would be directing the film. And while we had talked about me being in the film, that was definitely at the forefront of our minds, the directing was just not something we had even talked about.  It wasn’t until the first draft of the script and we started going out to raise money, that the question started coming up. You know, who’s going to direct this movie?  We weren’t sure. My mom and I had a conversation (about the movie), you know, this is what the movie is, this is what the script is, and this is what we’re thinking about doing.  And she asked, well, who’s going to direct the movie?  I didn’t think anyone else could direct it besides me and Gloria. But, I didn’t think that I could be in the movie and direct it. And my mom said to me, “Well, you have to be in the movie. There’s no other way that someone could play the part of me unless it’s you. And if it’s not you, then you can’t make the movie.”  So, really, that was the reason that Gloria and I decided that we were going to direct the film and I also had to be in the film (playing the lead, as my mother’s character).

LE: The two of you have alot in common, but, are very different from each other – your childhood’s for example are different.  But, I think, that like many latino families there is a common core that drives us, that helps us deal with life’s struggles in unique ways. Much like it’s depicted in your film.  What would you say was the spark that ignited the fire when it came to collaborating with each other?  On what common ground did you find each other?

PM: I think the common ground on this collaboration was the idea of wanting to tell the story truthfully. You know, we always put our egos aside. We never came from the perspective of, oh, this is my idea or this is your idea. It was always about what is best for the film and that was how we worked from the very beginning, to do what was best for the film.

GLM: Yeah. And I would say that another very important element as far as common ground goes is that Paola and I did grow up in the United States. However, we have both kept a very significant connection with Colombia.  We made sure that we didn’t forget Spanish, we speak Spanish fluently. Our communication with our families in Colombia and just keeping that Colombian culture alive is very much a part of our lives here in the States.

LE: Our parents can be a strong source of inspiration, or, quite the opposite.  What do you think is the reason that some of us create beautiful unique experiences from very humble, poor and even violent beginnings and others choose a more tragic path?

PM: I believe that everyone is affected by a community, not just an individual. So, when you’re growing up, if your community is strong, whether that’s your extended family, your neighbors, or you know, just kids on your block, I think that has a large influence as to how you will be in your adult life. I also think it has to do with personalities, the type of person you are uniquely inside of you. If you are a person that sees things positively or negatively and how those things affect you. I also think that the idea of forgiveness is extremely important. For those who are able to forgive, I think they are able to move into a place in life where they can have more positive reflections related to their childhood, as opposed to those who are unable to forgive.

GLM: I think Paola is right. The ability to do something about what your future will be like is important, but, alot of people did not have a choice in what their past was as children. They may have seen violence, they may have seen poverty, alot of different things. But, some people can come to realize that, you know what, I’m an adult now, from this day forward I can make these (positive) decisions. But, sometimes, emotionally, there is just so much trauma that maybe some people aren’t able to do that. So, it can be a thing of maturity and I think of exposure. I think that when children are at an age and are exposed to another way of life, they can possibly dream of something different.  Paola directed a  documentary, Autumn’s Eyes, just as an example, of a little girl (Autumn) who is really, really a very bright young girl …(exposed to the type of trauma we are speaking of).  I think it’s really about exposing people to another way of life….that it doesn’t always have to be the way that it is now.

LE: So, you do agree that having a creative outlet, being able to express those feelings instead of repress them, when we have problems within our families, actually helps us in the healing process?

GLM: I would say absolutely.  Whether you express them (your feelings) to let’s say the parent that you may have your issues with, or, whether you express it to a friend. Those of us that can express it through art can do that as well…

PM: I mean, just as a personal example, having worked on the film with Gloria for 3 years, the writing process is what was really instrumental for me.  When you are writing a script you have to get into your character’s perspective, get into their head, try to figure out why they’re making those decisions.  So, in breaking down the character of Antonio (the father character in the film), it was really the first time in my life that I sat down and tried to truly, truly comprehend for a long period of time, the reasons as to why Antonio did what he did.  And that process took me to this place of being able to forgive my father, while I don’t agree, obviously, with what he did, I was able to understand the decisions as to why he did what he did, and in turn that allowed me to forgive him.  So, that’s a perfect example of where art can help in the healing process of trauma.

LE: It took you about two years to write the script and only 18 days to shoot the film… What were the challenges during the writing process and how did they compare to the challenges you faced during the shooting of the film and any time constraints?

PM: There were huge time constraints when we were shooting the film.  I mean, we only shot the film in 18 days, and that breaks down to basically shooting 6 takes per day. Which is near impossible. On top of the fact that 2 weeks of the film are also for children, so, we had them on set for the minimum amount of time because of child labor laws, which of course we agreed with. That was an enormous challenge. What made the film successful and allowed us to accomplish the impossible task every day was that our crew was fantastic. All the way from our DP Bradford Young, our Producers Michael Skolnik, Joseph La Morte, all the way down to Myo Campbell, Linda Pereira…they were fantastic! Everyone took ownership of this film and sacrificed and sweated blood and tears in order to make this film happen.

GLM: The fact that our vision started to shape itself well when we did start writing helped.  So, by the time we were ready to shoot, we felt really prepared with what we wanted for each scene, for each character and ultimately for the story.

I think the writing process took the time that it needed to get to where it was.  Because, when we started writing there was such a commitment on both parts. Paola is a working actor, I was a new mom and we really did not have any excuses like – I can’t write today because of this.  We really took that time because that’s the time that it needed for our research.  We got involved in researching people that collect cans on the street. So, there were a lot of elements that we needed to really, really know what that world is like because we needed to bring honesty and truth to the screen. We knew we were going to stop writing when we were ready to shoot.

PM: And, also, to add to that…because we were first time writers, writing our first script, we also allowed ourselves the pleasure of really enjoying the process and learning from the process. You know, the next script that we write, hopefully it’s for hire…hopefully, if not, maybe we won’t have the freedom that we had with this.  But, I think that what was great is that Gloria and I found it instrumental to just enjoy what we were doing.

LE: On a more personal note…Many latinos come to the U.S. as children having no say in the migration.  In retrospect,  how do you both feel about your families choices and given the chance, if the roles were reversed…Would you make the same ones?

PM: I think my life is what it was and it was a great life and I am very happy with where I am now in life and the world that I’ve traveled. Would I do it again? You know, as a mother, I would do anything to give my children the support and the opportunities.

GLM: I would have to say that every day especially because we did come to the New York area, we came to live in New Jersey and we were so exposed to New York City.  So basically, I think I would’ve done the same thing.  I am so grateful every day because we still have that connection with Colombia. I still feel that that’s part of my culture.  But, I think that being here, in this country, and being exposed to literally the whole world, has been for me one of the greatest things and the thing that has shaped my life, my self.  I thank my parents because I know they sacrificed a lot to make it in this country. So, I think that in my acknowledgment of their sacrifice is where I can say, you know – Thank you, this is exactly where I would’ve wanted to be.

LE: With the film completed and now in it’s world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival – what do you have planned for the future?  Any new projects?

GLM: For my immediate future, I will start to work on another screenplay that I’ve had in my head for a while, about a father and son relationship.  I want to continue to write and to bring things to the screen and you know, as  Paola said, it would be wonderful to work for hire, to continue to collaborate.  I think the film has personally allowed me to believe that much more in my ability, in myself.  Sometimes as a writer or an artist, you can spend your time just writing and not really taking the chance to show your work to the world. So, this experience with Entre Nos has really showed me that you really do have to take that chance.  I think that anybody who has the opportunity to see the film could walk away with so much.  So, as an artist, you can’t keep that only on paper, in your computer, you have to let it out to the world. But, yeah, I want to continue to write and edit and direct.

PM: As for me, I have an idea for a script in my mind.  I don’t know much about it, but, I do know it’s going to be a love story. Hopefully, I will be able to go to Colombia for 3 weeks, sit down, escape and write what’s in my mind.  I’m an actor so I will definitely continue to work in those areas as well and continue to direct.  My passion is just to be able to tell stories, so, if I can do that in all 3 capacities I’ll be very, very happy.

LE: So, Paola, do you consider yourself a romantic (considering the love story) ?

GLM: (giggles)

PM: A romantic? No, no, I don’t consider myself a romantic. I actually consider myself more of a realist. But, I do believe in the goodness of people. Does that make me a romantic? I don’t know. I do believe that we are innately good and I believe that part of our responsibility as individuals is to raise the consciousness of our brothers and sisters. And how I am able to do that is through my art.  So, the art that I have decided to make has that aspect of raising consciousness, make us all better.

LE: Both of you still visit Colombia to unite with your family, yes?

GLM: Yes absolutely.

PM: Oh, yes, yes, definitely.  At least, at the very least, once a year. I just talked to my aunt in Colombia last night, so, yeah.

LE: I read that Gloria makes some fantastic empanadas.

PM: Yeah, that’s Gloria. (giggles)

GLM: I come from a family of six kids and my parents always worked the double shift. My older sister, whose responsibility it would’ve been to learn to cook, has autism. So, it became my job at age 11 or 12 to basically cook for the family – the other five kids. So, yeah, I learned to cook at an early age and then I just realized the importance of tradition and food. Part of that tradition is handed down just like with music and anything else..there’s food. So…YEAH. I am very proud of my empanadas.

LE: I think that one of the reasons traditions exist, is to make peace with our past, with ourselves, to ensure our survival…and to come to terms with the vessel (life) that takes us to tomorrow.  You guys have done a great job with the film and in bringing these struggles to light.  I think Gloria is right, anyone who sees the film can learn alot. That’s what makes the film inspiring and so special.  I look forward to seeing more of your work!

Thank you both for taking the time to chat with me.  Congratulations again! I wish you both all the success with Entre Nos, other current and future projects!

PM & GLM: Thank you so much!

Additional Info:

Check out the film at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival!

Visit www.EntreNosFilm.com.

Watch the Trailer

Cast & Credits

Primary Cast: Paola Mendoza, Sebastian Villada Lopez, Laura Montana Cortez, Andres Munar, Sarita Choudhury, Anthony Chisholm
Director: Paola Mendoza, Gloria La Morte
Screenwriters: Gloria La Morte, Paola Mendoza
Producers: Joseph La Morte, Michael Skolnik
Executive Producers: Bob Alexander, Ryan Harrington
Director of Photography: Bradford Young
Editor: Gloria La Morte
Original Score: Gil Talmi

Interview with Nicholas Bruckman, Director of La Americana (A Documentary) by Dora Leticia (Lens Ethics)

People’s Television Studio
Washington Heights, New York (Upper Manhattan)

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Director of the Documentary, La Americana for allowing me to interview him for Lens Ethics.

LE: Aside from what we already know from the brief bio on the People’s Television website, what can you tell us about yourself?

NB: Um, okay, what, what can I tell you about myself…? Well, I live in Washington Heights, in upper Manhattan, New York. I’ve lived here for eight years. I grew up when I was very young in Los Angeles, but, I’ve lived in New York City for 12 years now. I’m 23 and went to high school here and consider myself a real New Yorker. But, I’m also a real internationalist and I consider myself a citizen of the world. I don’t believe in the borders that divide us, either the physical, cultural, sexual, gender, orientation wise, that divide different people.

LE: You directed the documentary, La Americana, at a time when the current immigration crisis in the United States is a big debate. What inspired you to take on this project?

NB: I really think that my interest in technology, international news, journalism and my interest in film-making comes from my belief in the power that images and stories have to connect people. I think that now that we’re entering well into the 21st century, which we all imagined to be a brighter, peaceful, global community future – we are seeing that it hasn’t turned out that way yet.

I think that it’s essential…I’ve always felt like my calling was to try to use images and story-telling to bring people together. On the one hand we have this incredible technology and we have free international calling…we have everything you could imagine that would make people stop hating, or, not caring about people across the world from them.

I think that we really need to employ that technology and use it to help people to start thinking of each other as human beings first, before we think of each other as Jewish, Christian, Muslim, American, French, Guatemalan, Nigerian, or Mexican.

That’s what inspires my work in general. It’s the idea of creating a more global community and through that a more peaceful and just world.

LE: How does La Americana tie into your idea of a global community?

NB: La American is a story of an undocumented immigrant from Bolivia who faces this incredible dilemma of being with her daughter who is sick in Bolivia , or , supporting her from New York, where she can earn enough to take care of her daughters crippling medical condition.

The story is illustrative of, I think, millions of peoples stories and not only in the United States, but, a kind of migrant dilemma in many places, where laws forbid for families to travel together, and, danger of border crossing and restrictive legislation against immigrants forces these family divisions.

I thought by examining the kind of injustice and the hardships that are caused by these immigration policies, that I could really cast an even bigger question.

One, not just about immigration, which is of course a very difficult dilemma to solve, and not one that I propose a specific answer to in the film. But, I wanted to address the issues of – who deserves to be where?

What does it mean to be from somewhere when you need to be somewhere else? What does it mean that this woman is Bolivian and I’m an American?

Is being born somewhere make you that thing? Is it who we are intrinsically that’s more important, or, is it our personalities? Is it the values that we share that bind a community as opposed to the place of birth?

I hope that “through the lens of the immigration crisis”, we could explore some of these bigger issues of our natural rights as human beings.

LE: How has the community responded to La Americana? The people who have actually been to the advanced screenings…

NB: Yeah, we’ve had two previous screenings before our actual premiere, so only a few select communities have had a chance to see the film so far, in it’s final state. The reaction has so far been overwhelmingly positive.

We screened it for an entirely packed audience at the Diversity Center in Jackson Heights, which is the heart of the Bolivian community in New York.

One of the protagonist in the film, Jorge, the main character’s boyfriend, was there in the audience. Him and I spoke to an audience of at least 150 people, who really came forward and told us afterwards that they felt like this was their story as well.

And, it wasn’t just immigrants from Bolivia who said that, but, immigrants from Central America, from all over the Americas who said you know, this is what we went through, this is what my brother went through, this is what my cousin, my wife, my daughter, my mother…

People were really positive. They felt that not only did La American portray their story, but, that it was a chance for them to show their kids, who were born here, what a privilege it is to be born here…what their ancestors, or what their fathers had done, what their parents had done, coming illegally, what sacrifices they’ve made….

They also thought that it was really important that their story be articulated to non-immigrant communities, who they feel don’t necessarily know all of the hardships that immigrants have to go through.

LE: It is a great documentary. I know what you mean, I attended that screening, and can also relate to the experiences depicted in the film. Not because I am an undocumented immigrant, I am not, I was born in the United States. But, my parents had similar hardships, the stories…they all seem to be connected in a universal way…

You guys did a great job of capturing the true essence of what it is like for many, the stories may not be exactly the same, but, the true nature of that experience, the struggle…it feels we are all pulling on that same string…trying to make a better life…as human beings.

Do you have any new projects aside from promoting the film? What is your vision for the future?

NB: I run, along with John M, a documentary film production company called People’s Television, we’re basically in Upper Manhattan, in Inwood.

We just finished our first documentary feature called La Americana, which of course, we’ve just been discussing. We are also in the process of a documentary short called The Grey Movie, which tells the story of four revolutionaries in New York City, who in response to the outbreak of war in Iraq, try everything possible to stop it.

We also have two other projects in the conception phase. One is another immigration story, which is about people fighting to help immigrants. The other, is another border story, about the border between India and Pakistan, over Kashmere.

We are also currently seeking ways to really get La Americana out to the world and make as much of an impact as we can, this can help get financing for our future projects.

LE: Well, on behalf of Lens Ethics – Thank you for bringing this story to the screen! I along with many others I am sure, hope the very best for Carmen, her daughter and her family!

It is an honor to speak with you. We look forward the the release of the film and more work from you!