MILLIE & THE LORDS A FILM BY JENNICA CARMONA - HBO

www.millieandthelords.com

Jennica Carmona born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and raised in Rochester, NY Jessica has worked in theaters in New York City including the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, The Producers Club, Danisarte, the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center. A graduate of the acting program at the Tisch School of the Arts in NYU, she has also performed at the Blackfriars Theater in Rochester, New York. Jessica is also an accomplished playwright, and has worked behind the scenes as a Stage Manager for the play Ghetto Babylon, for the Rochester Shakespeare Players, Cayendo Con Victoriano and the Rochester Broadway Theatre League. Jennica talks to us about her feature film MILLIE & THE LORDS which would be air on HBO November 4, 2016.

AM: What motivates you to write Millie & The Lords?

My motivation for writing it was to share apiece of Puerto Rican History that not a lot of people know about- so that their legacy is kept alive and so that the next generation of young Puerto Ricans can learn form them. I wanted to inspire young people.

AM: Please tell us about Milie and the obstacles she faces?

I work a lot with young people who are very smart and have a lot of potential but their qualities are hidden behind a tough exterior because of their circumstances. They have to be tough on the outside in order to survive, and also to mask fear and insecurity. We see this in the character of Millie. So she has to learn to let that facade go in order to reveal who she really is inside. She has to find the courage to stand up to her father, to make friends, to open her heard to romance...

We also talk with Cedric Leiba Jr. (Andy)

Official Website: http://www.cedricleiba.com

Cedric Leiba born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Cedric attended Stetson University receiving a B.M. in Vocal Performance. Beginning his professional career performing in reputable regional theaters, he then pursued a M.M. in Musical Theater from The Boston Conservatory. Cedric has toured the US and Canada with several shows, has been a feautred soloist with the Boston Pops under the direction of John Williams, was nominated for an Audelco Award in 2012 and won the 2013 HOLA Award for Outstanding Performance by a Featured Male Actor for his portrayal of Vittorio Vidal in NHAT's SWEET CHARITY. Cedric is a proud ensemble member of Bombazo Dance Company and the Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater. Cedric has the opportunity of act as Andy and here he talks about his process of his character.

AM: How was the preparation for your character - Andy?

Preparing for my character wasn't too difficult because I completely identified with his story of moving to the US from Puerto Rico to create better opportunities for himself but also dealing with the cultural identity issues that many of us Latinos face in wanting to be American but at the same time not forgetting our language and culture. I felt completely honored to tell this story, my story.

AM: What do you enjoy most about the production?

I truly enjoyed the entire process of making the movie...it felt like a dream come true. Also the cast and creatives were incredibly talented, inspiring, humble and extremely fun to work with. A lot of laughs were shared on set!

AM: How was shooting on exterior locations in NYC?

Shooting in NYC was great!! We had so much fun- especially when we shot in El Barrio. A lot of the residents there knew and remembered the Young Lords, so they were excited to know that a film was being made about them.

AM: How was shooting on exterior locations?

As in many movies, our location acted as another character. We shot mostly in Spanish Harlem and it added so much to the experience and truth of our movie because not only was it the story of a young Puerto Rican woman finding her way in this particular neighborhood, but we were also surrounded by landmarks, streets and walls that molded and influenced the Young Lords movement in New York City.

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http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3478978/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1