Written by Jesus Figueroa
Veteran actor Luis Guzman's first producer credit comes in "Puerto Ricans in Paris," which he also stars in, opening on June 10.
Listen to Thisfunktiknal Podcast for full audio interview.
Although a film with Puerto Ricans in the title and Latino actors, "Puerto Ricans in Paris" is a comedy which everyone can enjoy.
"I did not make this movie, or go about making this movie, even though the title is 'Puerto Ricans in Paris,' I did not make this movie for Puerto Ricans," Guzman said. "I've always said, 'I made this movie for the universe.' That's what I'm so proud of."The comedic elements in the movie are things that many people can relate to.
The comedy is well made with many funny moments, which made it appealing to Focus World to distribute.
Still, the Latino part of the movie keeps it from being widely covered by the entertainment media.
"I do still struggle with, and I don't have any problem saying this, I do still struggle with the fact that, ok here we have this movie, and I'm still waiting to also do interviews with general market," Guzman said. "The problem I've always found with Latino movies, you know, that people make for the universe, it's like why are we only being interviewed by Latino markets? When Spike Lee does a movie he's not just being interviewed by the (African-American market)...and so I think that's something we have to break through."This movie goes from New York to Paris with many French actor involved in roles in the movie.
The barrier is not Hollywood, but what mainstream media decides to cover.
"I don't think it's Hollywood that puts a barrier anymore. I think that's something that we psychologically put as a block," Guzman said. "My thing is that we are talented but at the same time, taking it to the next level, who's going to be that person that's going to write that check. There are Latinos that are multimillionaires and billionaires, where are they?"Check out "Puerto Ricans in Paris" which opens June 10.
Share the trailer on social media and your reaction with the film using #PuertoRicansInParis.
Check out some awesome shirts with Luis Guzman's face at: in-theindustry.com/.
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