ROSIEPEREZ THOUGHT SFIE F{AD FINALLY I-ANDED FIER FIRST Ben Kingsley), Carlito's Way (AlPacino) and the screen leading role in a major motion picture when she met the adaptation of IsabelAllende's The House of the Spirits. director of Tbe Perez Family and was told that she not That project featured Glenn Close, Meryl Streep, 'Winona only had the "heart and spirit" of the main character, Ryder, Vanessa Redgrave andJeremy Irons as Dottie, a flamboyant ex-prostitute who flees her native Chilean aristocrats, while the supporting roles of a farm- Cuba for Miami, but was, in fact, her "pure essence." hand, a nanny and a prostitute went to Banderas, But then the director, Mira Nair (Mississippi Masalal, Miriam Colon and Maria Conchita Alonso, respective- shook her head and said, "Too bad I can't cast you - ly. As one critic, John Powers, observed in Neu York you don't look like a Cuban." magazine: "Don't the producers care that nowadays it According to Perez's account of the meeting, which she seemsclueless to populate aLatin American romance toldNeu York Latino, a monthly magazine, Nair said with Northern European actors ?.. .By the time Antonio she wasn't "black enough or white enough" to play a Banderasturns up..., you can only laugh.... The poor Cuban and offered her the supporting role of a roller- guy seemsto have stumbled into the wrong movie." skating archangel. Before Perez stormed out ofthe direc- Critics call the practice "brown-face casting," point- tor's office. Nair asked the Puerto Rican actressif she'd edly equating it with the way white actors once donned call her with an answer."Yeah." blackface paint to play African snappedPerez, "in a yearor two." Americans. But even as examples \fhen the role of Dottie aswell persist, Latino activists are be- as the secondfemale lead. Car- coming increasingly vocal - and mela,went to non-Latinaactress- occasionally effective - in fight- es Marisa Tomei and Anielica ing the trend. Tom Cruise's deci Huston, respectively,Perez was sion last fall to pull out of a angeredbut not surprised.In a remake of Zorro seemsto have chilly phone call to her friend been influenced, in part, by the Tomei, with whom sheworked angry phone calls and letters with on Untamed Heart, shesaid, "I which activists bombarded the just wish my peoplewould get a studio. Activists also helped to chance,because there are actress- persuadeAlfonso Arau, the direc- esthat areiust asgood as you that tor of A Walk in the Clouds, to could play that role." Tomei tried FR||iI'THEPEREZ FIiIILT' find a Latina actressfor a lead- to comfort Perezby reminding ing Latina role that the studio her that Perez'sOscar-nominated r0,ltEATllillll TllEIlilllEil,' had hoped to possibly fill with 'Winona supporting role in Fearlesshad Fttts oil tlTlll0 0ULTURE Ryder. And they actual- originally been written for an ly provoked the cancelation of a Italian-American."But I had to rREril U0GUE- [S t0llG movie about Mexican artist Frida fight for it, and you didn't," Perez IS TIIETHIYE AIIGI.O STIRS. Kahlo that had an Italian-Amer- shot back. "And you'll never ican actressplaying the lead. understanduntil you put on the BUrS0tE t[Tlll0s IRE Still, a number of projects now skin of a Hispanicperson." in development have made Latino Speakingfrom India, whereshe FIGHTIIIGTIIE PRICTIGE actors feel the casting wars are far was castingher next film, Nair 0FuBR0wll.FAGE ClSTlllG." from over: Madonna has finally disputedPerez's account, insisting been signed to play Evita in the that shemade it clearthat shenev- off-again,on-again movie version er intended to offer Perez any- of the Andrew Lloyd Vebber thing but a cameorole. "Not," musical, Pacino has expressed she said, chuckling, "the Rosie interest in a biopic on the ex- Perezrole of theyear." Panamanian dictator Manuel For Hollywood'ssmall, talent- Noriega, and Tom Hanks is re- ed community of Latino actors,writers and directors, portedto be consideringdonning the maskof Zorro. recentyears have brought both exhilarationand frus- "They'reraping our stories,"shouts John Leguizamo tration. On the onehand, the productionof moviepro- in a phoneinterview from the setof theTV showhe cre- jectsinspired by Latino culturehas never been high- atedand starsin, Houseof Buggin'."lt's like getting er.And for the first time,a rosterof Latino actors- like Eggbeatersinstead of eggs!It's like ustakingThe Brady Andy Garcia,Antonio Banderas,Jimmy Smits and, yes, Bunch anddoing it with an all-Latin cast!How would RosiePerez - find themselvesapproaching "A list" sta- theylike that? Huh?" tus. But in what many Latinos regardas a cruel irony, At 30,Leguizamo is a considerablesuccess, but he is all too manyHollywood moviesabout the Latino expe- outragedthat the industry continuesto deny Latino rienceshowcase decidedly Anglo faces. actorssome major Latino roles. " Why shouldI go seethe In addition to the flap over this month's The Perez movielThePerezFamilyl?"he asks. "I'd seeother peo- Family, the Latino community has beenoutraged as ple'sidea of what Latin peopleare - andthat's not real." major Latino roleswent to non-Latinostars in films as It's bad enoughthat many Anglo rolesare offJimits diverseas Death and theMaiden (Sigourney'Weaver, becauseof their ethnicity,say Latino actors,but to lose

8O.US JUNE 1995

R||SIEPEREZ SAYS SHE WAS T||LD SHE HAII THE UHEART A]III SPIRITU F||R THE LEIIIROIE BUT WAS]I'T "BIACK E]IOUGH ||RWHITE EII(IUGH'' Tl| PLAYACUBA]I. out on Latino parts aswell is a particularly cruel double bind. " lfhen No project has revealed those strains more poignantly than direc- 'Boy, something L1keDeath and the Maiden comes along, you say: I tor Luis Valdez's attempt to make a film about the revered Mexican rifhy could do that! didn't they call me?' " says Ruben Blades (The artist Frida Kahlo, with Italian-American actress Laura San Milagro Beanfield War),who is Panamanian-born and Harvard-edu- Giacomo playing the lead. "I adore and admire the man," says 'Hey, cated. " they didn't call you, becauseyou have no name, no actor Esai Morales, of his decisionto join a protest againstValdez, box-office draw.'rWell, I have no box-office draw, becauseI'm not who had given him his largest career break when he cast him in given the opportuniry to show I can become a box-office draw." La Bamba. "But I had to support the women in our industry who But even someoneas succcssfulasJimmy Smits, who got one of the were making a statementabout the opportunities they had." most coveted jobs on TV last year when he replaced David Caruso on Valdez's defensewas that he couldn't find the right actress from NYPD Blue, saysthat his ethnicity is a factor every time he walks into within the Latino communiry, but skeptical activists, who founded a castingmeeting. "It's a constant battle on my part and on my agent's Latin Heat in responseto the proiect, felt that he had simply caved part to make people say,'Hey, give this person a shot,' " he says. in to studio demandsthat he cast an Anglo acrress.In protest, Latinos, The problems that come with being a Latino in Hollywood are many of whom were women dressedin the traditional Mexican garb as old as the movie businessitself. Ricardo Montalban (Fantasy favored by Kahlo, rallied in front of the studio's Beverly Hills office, Island) recalls arriving in Hollywood as a starry-eyed Mexican and two days later the studio pulled out, effectivelykilling the project. immigrant in 1941and thinking he had it made when MGM asked The demonstration had two important legacies: It made the him to screen-testfor what he was told would be an all-Latin adap- Latino community realize that it now had enough power to enact tation of John Steinbeck's novel about Mexican farm laborers, effective protests, and it also put filmmakers on notice that future Tortilla Flat. But the role he auditioned for went to John Garfield. projects involving Latino roles could face the samefate. "There wasn't a single Mexican in the whole thing," Montalban In a more recent case,Latin Heat reported in its newsletter that says."That's when my eyeswere opened.I was 20 yearsold." Alfonso Arau, the director of Like Water Chocolate, was consid- '$Tinona for Like many Latino artists, Montalban recognizesthat absolute eth- ering Ryder for the Latina lead in his first studio film, A Walk nic authenticity in casting is no solution, pointing out that some of in the Clowds. Arau had already persuaded the studio to change the his most acclaimedwork has been for playing other nationalities, script's vineyard-owning family from Italian-Americans to Mexican- such as an American Indian chief (in the TV miniseries How tbe Americans. Now the worried director arranged to meet the activists. West'V/as Won) and a JapaneseKabuki actor (sayonara). "They "He was freaked," laughs Loyda Ramos, the newsletter's co-editor were challenging and rewarding roles," he says. "However, they and an actresswho played Arau's girlfrie nd in Three Amigos. "He 'Are wouldn't possibly give them to me now, becausethe Indians and wanted to know, you guysgoing to ruin my movie?' " Japanesewould resent it - and rightly so." Even today many of the Arau assured them that while the studio (20th Century Fox) had best acting opportunities for Latinos are playing non-Hispanic parts. suggestedcertain non-Latina actresses(including Ryder) for the lead, Andy Garcia, for example, has shone while playing ltalian- he promised the part would be filled by aLattna. Eventually, the Arnericans in both The Untouchables andThe Godfather Part III. Spanishactress Aitana Sanchez-Gijonwas chosen. Still, Montalban, who is the current chairman of the Latino But not since the Kahlo film has a casting controversy so enraged activist group Nosotros, which he helped found in 1959,believes Holll'wood's Latinos as the choice of Tomei and Huston to star in that "until the doors of opportunity are open, we have to go the The Perez Family. Nair claims she met with more than 80 actresses other way for a while, to balancethings out." for the part of Dottie but couldn't find anyone who was right until she "I'm not a militant man." Montalban adds. "I trv to use dialosue met Tomei. "I fell for Marisa," she said. "It was an instinctive thing, and common senseand try to appeal to the and without my instincts what have I got?" She good nature ofthe industry. For 25 yearswe've also feelsthe film is, from its clothing to casting, beentrying and haven't seenresults. They say, "faithful to its Cuban essence,"and points out o '\Well, it takes time.' But 25 years?I'm very sad that Alfred Molina, the male lead, is Latino. z about this whole thing. Very, very sad." But according to publicity information on the Today's generation of activists takes a more film, if Nair had her way, the film would have o I aggressiveapproach. Organized in loosely beencast with all non-Latino leads, beginning J affiliated networks, the most prominent being with Pacino, her first choice for the role that Latin Heat, they track Latino-related news in Molina now has. And of Carmela, she writes Holllwood and initiate protests ranging from that "Anjelica was my first and only choice for letter-writing campaigns to elaborate rallies. the role...and I fought like a tiger to have her." Bel Hernandez, an actressand the co-editor of Sincetalking toNew York Latino, Perezhas the Latin Heat newsletter, says that the battle assumed a low profile on the subject and job ; is about more than opportunity. "A lot of declined to be interviewed for this article. But kids in East L.A. don't seethemselves on TV a number of Latina actresseswho had met F I and in movies, don't seeanything but negative with Nair to discussroles were skepticalabout stereofypes,and that's why it's so important," her motivations. Actress Saundra Santiaqo's O she says. "That's why we fight so hard." (Miami Vice) reacttonwas typical. "She plays F Ironically, activists often have to protest the Hollywood game of using stars to sell her against fellow Latinos. It's Latino filmmakers, movie," she said. "She should cop to the truth i; after all, who are usually interested in Latino F instead of insulting every Latina actor by say- projects. The result can be heartbreaking divi- ing none of us are good enough." sions within the Latino community itself. Maria Conchita Nonsolcontinued on page 921

us JUNE 1995.83 lively - bawdy, even - in sharp contrast to Edward (Peter Hanly), who is further Hollywood'sCast System her role as the sereneMurron. "Ifhen I got undermined here by his predilection for his Continued from page 83 the part, I thought, Oh my God, I get to snog male courtier. (It's a part that could have Mel Gibson!" (Snoggingmeans, well, just been written by Andrew Dice Clay, and one (Moscotu on tbe Hudsoz) said that for two what you think it means.) "I was inter- which critics will be sure to seizeupon.) years she sought an audition but was turned 'Do viewed by someone,and they said, you Marceau saysher line. "'$7asn'tthat too down. "I'm not saying Marisa shouldn't find certain scenesdifficult to do?' and I mush-mouthed?" she asks. have done it because she'sa gringa," says ''What, went, the deathscene?'And she said, "Nah. It was great," saysGibson. "I'm Alonso, who is starring on Broadway in the 'No, the lovemaking scenes with Mel.' making coffee.Anyone want some?" He musical Kiss of the Spider Woman. "ButI 'Sorry, that's difficult to you?' " She col- bounces out of the room- was born in Cuba! My blood is Cuban! If I 'Really, lapses in laughter. " I'm confused Marceau muncheson somegrapes, in the had auditioned and she [Nair] liked the by your question.' " processmaking it look like the most glam- other person, then I would've respected The next day, it is time for Gibson to dub orous thing one could possibly do. "It's that. But I never got a chance!" one of the film's blood-orgy moments on hard to watch myself," she says."It's like a Luis Reyes, co-author of Hispanics in the battlefield. "Nobody got hurt, thank photo. Sometimesit's better than life, some- Hollywood: An Encyclopedia of Film and God," he says,squinting at a frozen battle times it's just ugly. It is difficult," she says, Teleuision, believesthat what Hollywood's scene on the movie screen. "It's awful looking thoughtfully into the distance. Latino community really needs is an epic chaos. \7e had to make the strategy clear, Gibson re-emerges,announcing his return about the Latino experience."You'll never so we sat for weeks with little plastic sol- with a well-timed belch. "Who wants to take see an Anglo playing an American Indian diers trying to figure out the batdes so that a break, raise their hand." Everyone dispers- again after Dances V/ith Wolues," he says. 'Wolues." they'd be understandable.Because when es,while he staysput. "It's hard to be good, "'We need our own Dances'With you watch a battle, most times you wonder: you know," he says."In the agewe live in, It may not have the impact of Kevin Cost- Who's who? What's going on here?" it's hard to imagine someonelike'Wallace," ner's Oscar winner, but the film My Family, The soldiers used in the film were acu- he says,rubbing his forehead."Ife're living which opens May 3, representsa triumph in ally recruited from the Irish Army reserve. in a different world, you know. Far more Latino casting, with Smits, Esai Morales and "They were very enthusiastic," recalls cynical. In the age we're living in, it almost Edward James Olmos in its ensemble.The Gibson, fishing for a cigarette. "Very well- doesn't seem real. It seemslike a bunch of director, Gregory Nava, born of Basqueand behaved. They had to be regimented, and petfy heroics.Butthereuere peoplewho put Mexican parents and raised in Southern [even as actors] they were answerable to it all on the line for something. California, made El Norte, a classic among military law. If they misbehaved,they were "Peoplewho die for their beliefsare often Spanish-languagefilms. He sayshe refused in deep s---. But they were absolutely first- misunderstood, and they're not meant to make My Family unless he could do it class.Usually extras can be a little blas6, for this world, really." He exhales some with an all-Latino cast and turned down a becausethey do it all the time, bur these smoke. "ri7ho is, you know?" number of lucrative studio offers to make guys were just perky ashell." The combo of Voices are heard in the hallway as sound the movie with Anglo stars. manly soldiersand mobs of animals meant folks begin filing in from their break. "It's about three generations of one that the "set in Scotland was gag city. But "Mel? Mel? I have a way to do this Mexican-American family, and I needed we wanted to make it pretty funky. " scenethat I think might work," enthuses people who knew and understood this world, At this moment, the decidedly unfunky a technician. this culture." said Nava. "To take them Sophie Marceau arrives. Calm and beauti- Gibson hauls himself up. "Soitanly," he where I wanted to go as a director, I had to ful and severalmonths pregnant, she slow- says,giving a flawless Curly impression. have them already up to speed,so they were ly unwinds her scarf and sinks onto a near- "\fhat's aphasia? " someoneasks , ^ppar- right off to the races,and we could start cre- by chair. Marceau has beena star in France ently doing a crossword pluzzle. ating charactersand scenesthat are iust crack- since the age of 13 and is mobbed wherev- "Nothing fazesme," someoneelse shoots ling with truth. What you seein this film is er she goes. "Sophie has a very regal quali- back, Shecky-like. what it's really like in a Latino household." ty, straight back and statuesque," says Gibson standsup. The crew looks over at But doesMy Family signalthebeginning of Gibson. "She really looks like royalty, and him, expecting a groan or at least a rolling a seachange in the way Hollyrvood castsLa- shebehaves that way, too. She'sa very par- of the eyes. tino actors? With the films on Evita, Noriega ticular young woman." "Good one," says Gibson admiringly. . andZorro on the horizon, Latinos seempes- The room is darkened, and she stepsup to simistic.But thereis, at least,one new proiect the microphone. On-screen,Princess Isabelle Jancee Dunn is o, ouoriot, ,ditor at that has beena sourceof hope: Valdez, who's 'Rolling confronts a prison guard. Marceau intones: Stone.' Her profile of Sarah Jessica finishing a script for Fox on the life of his late "The king will soon be dead, and his son is Parker appeared in the February'US.' friend Cesar Chavez, saysthat the lead actor a weakling. tJfho do you think will run this will definitely be a Latino. "One hundred per- US Mdgazine (ISSN 0147-510X) is published monthly by US kingdom?" Shenails the line in one take. "I Magazine Compan!, L,P., 1290 Atenue of the Americas, cent!" he says. "If not, everybody that never Neu York, NY 10104-0298. The ehtire contexts of US like it," Gibson jumps in as the tape still rolls. Magazine are copyright A 1995 by US Magazine Conpany, even touched a grape will come after me!". "Zat'stheway, L.P., and fray not be reproduced in 4ny mafrfrer, either uh-huh, uh-huh, I like eet," whole or in part, without uritten pertuission. All ights are sings Marceau in her Franglais. "But Mel, teserred. The srbscriptiofl price is $19.94 for one year and Tom O'Neill's article "Tbe Incredible $43.95 for tuo yedrs. The Cahadiah subsctiptiofl pri.e is 'Saturday you ruined it when you laughed at the end." $24.91 for one year incltding GST, paydble in aduance. The Sbrinking Womenof Night Liue"' foreign subscription price is $24.94 for one year, payable in "Never. I'm too f---in'professional," he aduance. Second-class postage Paid at Netu York, NY, and ('US,'December 1994) won tbe 1995Ex- returns, as everyoneelse laughs. additional mailing offices. Canadian Second Class Postage Perhit #9339 paid at Windsor, Ofltatio, Canada. Caflada ceptionalMerit MediaAward for bestmag- A sceneis cued up between Isabelle and Coods and Seruices Tax Registratioh fto. Rl25042689. azine tbe National'Women's POSTMASTER: Send. addrcss chaflges to US Custoflel featurefrom her husband, the weak, foppish Prince Seruice, P-O. Box 58677, Boilldel, CO 80322-8667. Political Caucusand Radcliffe College.

92.US JUNE 1995