Synopsis
Malena, a young woman form Argentina comes to New York to work as an actress, but she quickly realizes she is not “latin” enough to play these roles -and that she has too much of an accent to play the “white” roles. Malena will decide to compromise her integrity to succeed.
Director: Inés Gowland
Inés Gowland is a 25 year old filmmaker born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She studied film, particularly Cinematography, and had the pleasure of working in the independent film community for a couple of years as a DP, AC and Sound Mixer. She also developed as a stand up comedian, performing in several stages in Buenos Aires.
She is currently enrolled in NYU’s Graduate Film Program, where she is developing as a writer/director. She just finished her third narrative project, a 9 minute film called “Latiner”, shot in New York City.
Director Statement
In Argentina, we have our own definitions of what being “Latina” means. Once I came to the US, I was shocked to find how people expected me to be or act due to my place of origin, and I was particularly interested in the subject when I found out so many actresses had to become either more “american” or more “latin”, because no middle ground was acceptable to pursue that career. This film deals with the misrepresentation of latin-american women in the US, but with a fresh take on immigrant life in the city.
In Argentina, we have our own definitions of what being “Latina” means. Once I came to the US, I was shocked to find how people expected me to be or act due to my place of origin, and I was particularly interested in the subject when I found out so many actresses had to become either more “american” or more “latin”, because no middle ground was acceptable to pursue that career. This film deals with the misrepresentation of latin-american women in the US, but with a fresh take on immigrant life in the city.
KEY CAST
Natalia Ivana Escobar as Malena
Hanlon Smith-Dorsey
María Fontanals
Patty Aicher
Marlene Mancini
Brad Forenza
María del Mar Velazquez
KEY CREW
Written & Directed by Inés Gowland
Producers
Inés Gowland
Max Rissman
María Altamirano
Erich Hsiao
Assistant Director
Calla Videt
Director of Photography
Stu Segal
Sound Mixer
Rebecca Martos
Editor
Inés Gowland
Original Music by
Antonio Truyols