Luis: How was your journey in writing this script to producing the film into completing the editing ready for screening? Please tell us your path up to this point?
Christina: I began writing the script in 1997 on my way to vacation. I was sitting in a beauty parlor, reading an article in a magazine about a life-size sex doll.
I started imagining myself as this doll. The fact that I'm married, plays into the roles which people play. As a Hispanic female, women are expected to play traditional roles of cleaning house and cooking. Bringing in 2 other writers, changed the story line. I rewrote the end of the story in the middle of production. The new ending ties the story in, much better. We began production in 2003, with the money in place, we quickly went over budget and I had to replace the director. The film went into the hands of 2 editors, the second being a Latina, Denise Garcia.
At the end of our film shoot, I was selected into a writer's lab at New Jersey City University and rewrote Muneca into a play with my original vision, of women being free to be who they want to be...
Luis: What made you decide to shoot a romantic fantasy comedy? What made you decide to choose this topic?
Christina: In the past, I have written crime dramas. My stories were too dark even though they were very realistic. People don't really want to watch sad stories. I feel as though this is the genre, I am happy writing about for now.
Luis: Please explain to us the casting process in choosing your lead characters?
Christina: I placed an ad twice in BackStage. I auditioned over 200 women for the role of Sonia. Carlos Molina the father, Armando and Eddie Rimada, Nicholas, came to the first open call. By the time we were ready to shoot, Carlos Molina brought in the other actors, whom he had worked with in the past: Chaz Mena, Mateo Gomez and Oscar Colon. They are all SAG actors. After reading the script, they all wanted to collaborate with me on my film.
Luis: I am so happy to see good Latino Actors and Talents of Color in your film.... Was it a conscious idea to do this and why?
Christina: Since 1993, I've been working on over 20 Independent Latino Films, and wanted a production that viewed Latinos in a favorable light. I also used crew members that were comprised of male/females of color.
Luis: What was your experience finding locations, I loved the loft that you used and showing the horizon featuring the NYC skyline?
Christina: My goal was to present Latinos as hard working, upper Middle Class people in the community, as I know them. All of our locations were shot in Union City, New Jersey. I think NY looks better from this side of the Hudson.
Luis: I think Frances was a perfect pick for the Lead character the - Muneca, Sonia? Why did you choose Frances to play the part?
Christina: Men usually look for the trophy wife, blonde, beautiful... I needed an actress who was not only a beautiful, talented Latina but also a salsa dancer. Sonia, the lead character, was a mambo dancer, sex doll. Frances was one of the actresses at a stage reading in the East Village. She sent me a copy of her play "Dancing Queen," which she was the lead actress/ writer / co-director / producer. I knew I had found Sonia.
Luis: What to you is the message of your film?
Christina: Women are not perfect beings and should not be expected to behave as one. Latino fathers are present and active as nuturing, loving fathers.
Luis: Who is the audience of your film?
Christina: Latinos, Women, Artists...
Luis: What is the selling point of your films?
Christina: Latinos as positive role models. I write non-traditional roles for Latinas.
Luis: Are you a member of any Latino Organizations and how have they supported you in your artistic endeavors?
Christina: I am a member of Nalip (National Association of Latino Producers.) They are very supportive of all members with their projects.
Luis: What is next for Christina Soto?
Christina: I am in conversations with the Union City, NJ based Hudson Exploited Theater Company to co-produce Muneca the play in 2008. I have 5 feature length scripts, and a short film, which I would like to shoot this summer, not necessarily in that order.
Muneca Website: http://www.munecafilm.com/
Related Site: Frances Lozada (Star of Muneca) Interview by: Luis Pedron of Fanclubx.com
http://www.fanclub.citymaker.com/FrancesLozadaMuneca.html
