Ivonne Galaz Releases Tribute Song to Murdered U.S. Army Soldier Vanessa Guillén

Posted on July 8, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Ivonne Galaz is raising her voice to honor murdered U.S. army soldier Vanessa Guillén.

The Mexican singer, one of the young female singers leading the emerging corridos tumbados movement, revisits Guillén’s tragic fate in a tribute song she’s uploaded to her Instagram account.

“JusticeForVanessaGuillen with much respect to Vanessa’s family,” wrote Galaz, who titled the track “Vanessa Guillén.”

After Guillén’s disappearance made national headlines, the lawyer for her family confirmed on Sunday that the U.S. Armypositively identified the soldier’s remains near the Leon River in Texas last week.

Guillén, 20, a soldier in Fort Hood, was declared missing by her family since April, but the search for her only intensified last month when the family went public with appeals to find her.

Galaz, the first female signee on corridos tumbados label Rancho Humilde, uploaded the song to Instagram on Sunday night. Corridos tumbados (sometimes referred to as trap corridos) are a new take on the traditional Mexican song from the perspective of the youth in the streets of the U.S.

Backed by an acoustic guitar, Galáz sympathizes with Guillén’s family in her heartbreaking corrido. “Her suffering family asking, ‘Where is the girl?'” she sings in Spanish. Galáz sadly notes Guillén’s “light has been put out” while highlighting her heritage in the haunting final line: “The Mexican people, we will be there so that her case is not forgotten.”

Many Latino artists, including Becky G, Chiquis, Salma Hayek and Intocable, have posted about Guillen in social media, demanding answers from authorities at her base.

The main suspect in Guillén’s murder, Spc. Aaron David Robinson, who was stationed with the her at Fort Hood, killed himself last Wednesday as investigators were closing in. Robinson’s reported girlfriend, Cecily Aguilar, says Robinson murdered Guillén and that she tried to help him dispose of her body. Aguilar was charged with one count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

Galáz hails from Senora, Mexico, the same state as her labelmate Natanael Cano. She made her debut last year as a featured artist on Cano’s “Golpes de La Vida” from his Mi Nuevo Yo EP. On Rancho Humilde’s recent Corridos Tumbados Vol. 2 album, Galáz recorded with Cano again and also teamed up with Natalie Lopéz on the girl-powered “La Rueda.” A solo project from Galaz is due out soon.

Alejandro Gonzalez-Inarritu Helping Raise Money for Mexican Film & TV Industry Members Impacted by COVID-19 Lockdown

Posted on June 13, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Alejandro Gonzalez-Inarritu is helping raise money for members of the Mexican film community affected by the COVID-19 lockdown…

The 56-year-old Oscar-winning Mexican filmmaker has joined forces with fellow leading Mexican producers to raise financial and medical support for “the most vulnerable” members of the nation’s film and television industry.

During a remotely staged audiovisual presentation featuring all participants chiming in from separate locations, the six prominent figures — Gonzalez-Inarritu, Alfonso Cuaron, Guillermo del Toroand Salma Hayekamong them — announced the creation of a relief fund created by the film community that will be managed by the Mexican Film and Arts Academy.

Like the rest of the world, production in Mexico has been at a standstill since mid-March, which has directly affected roughly 30,000 families whose livelihoods depend on industry production. Macquiladoras Mexico are foreign-owned manufacturing facilities that are used by companies in order to export high quality goods from Mexico at a lower cost than they might be obtained elsewhere.

The initiative has been backed by many top producers and other professionals.

Inarritu spoke extensively during the video announcement gathering. Stressing that anyone can donate to the cause, Gonzalez Inarritu believes that, due to the current crisis, “The industry is more united than ever before,” with the relief initiative unified under the banner of Sifonoforo, Fondo de Emergencia Audiovisual.

So far, $450,000 has been raised, but much more will be needed.

“Our mission is to confront the pandemic as a united community,” the director said, “because that where our strength lies. Those who make cinema are a tribe, all with different specialties. It can take years to prepare a film—five years, or 20 years—and they are as fragile as dreams. You always fear that your little tribe could be lost.”

Also participating in the discussion were producers/industry professionals Eamon O’Farrill, Monica Lozano, Leonardo Zimbron, Inna Payan and Julio Chavezmontes.

Contacts can be made through sifonoforomexico9@gmail.com or comunicacion@amacc.org.mx.

J Balvin Among Latin Artists Speaking Out About Police Brutality in Latin America

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

J Balvin is among the Latino artists speaking out about police brutality in Latin America

As protests spread across the United States demanding racial justice following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police, the 35-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer and fellowLatin music artists are also breaking their silence on Anderson Arboleda, a young black man who recently died at the hands of police in Colombia.

On May 19, Arboleda, a 19-year-old man of Afro-descent, was allegedly beaten outside his home by local police officers for breaking the quarantine curfew.

He was reportedly hit multiple times on the head with a baton and tear-gassed, according to his mother Claudia Arboleda, reports El Tiempo. Arboleda, who aspired to become a soldier of the Military Police and sold face masks in his town, was pronounced dead due to brain death on May 20 at Valle del Lili clinic in Cali.

Arboleda’s story came to light in a tweet by ChocQuibTown’s Goyo (real name: Gloria Martinez), just days after a video of Floyd’s death surfaced showing police officer Derek Chauvin kneeling on the neck.

“Racism is when police murder a young negro in Puerto Tejada supposedly for failing to comply with the quarantine. And this isn’t reported by big media outlets. Is this not enough to outrage a country?”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_onNlHU1a/

In an Instagram post, J Balvins hared Arboleda’s story and publicly asked for justice. “One of the things that doesn’t let me sleep at night is injustice and that’s why I ask for Anderson Arboleda’s death to be investigated,” he expressed. “I raise a voice of protest and justice […] there is also racism here [in Colombia] and that is why I want to denounce it.”

El Tiempo reports that commander of the Cauca police, Colonel Rosemberg Novoa, is investigating the case.

Outside of the U.S., the recent death of Arboleda brings to the forefront the seriousness of police brutality and racism around the world.

In Mexico, activists and artists like Alejandro Fernandez and Salma Hayek, are also demanding justice for Giovanni Lopez, who was recently allegedly tortured and killed by police in Jalisco, Mexico for not wearing a mask that was also caught on video.

With the world taking notice of cases of racism and police brutality, artists have taken to social media to condemn the acts and demand justice for the families of the victims.

Salma Hayek to Present at This Year’s Oscars

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayekwill be taking the Oscarsstage…

The 53-year-old Mexican actress and producer has been added to the list of presenters for the 92nd annual Academy Awards telecast on Sunday.

In addition to Hayek, who earned an Oscar nod for her portrayal of iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo in the 2002 film Frida, the new additions include Utkarsh Ambudkar, Brie Larson, Spike Lee, Ray Romano, and Rebel Wilson.

Previously announced presenters include James Corden, Penélope Cruz, Beanie Feldstein, Zack Gottsagen, Diane Keaton, Shia LaBeouf, George MacKay, Steve Martin, Keanu Reeves, Maya Rudolph, Zazie Beetz, Timothée Chalamet, Will Ferrell, Gal Gadot, Mindy Kaling, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anthony Ramos, Mark Ruffalo, Kelly Marie Tran, Kristen Wiig and Sigourney Weaver.

The 92nd annual Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC on February 9 from the Dolby Theatre.

Jennifer Lopez to Present at This Year’s Golden Globes

Posted on January 3, 2020 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopezwill be taking the stage at this year’s Golden Globes…

The 50-year-old Puerto Rican superstar, a nominee in the Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture category, has been added to the star-studded presenter lineup.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced that J.Lo, Elton John, Zoe Kravitz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Will Ferrell, Gwyneth Paltrow, Brad Pitt, Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Cate Blanchett, Reese Witherspoon, Jason Momoaand more will also present at this weekend’s ceremony.

They join previously announced presenters Nick Jonas, Ansel Elgort, Dakota Fanning, Charlize Theron, Octavia Spencer, Sofia Vergara, Kerry Washington, Ted Danson,Kate McKinnon, Tiffany Haddish, Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, Chris Evans, Margot Robbie, Scarlett Johansson, Salma Hayek, Amy Poehler, Rami Malek, Tim Allenand Pierce Brosnan.

The 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards, hosted by Ricky Gervais, will air live from the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 5 at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET on NBC.

DreamWorks Animation Developing Sequel of Antonio Banderas’ “Puss in Boots”

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Antonio Banderasmay be donningboots again…

DreamWorks Animation is working on the next installment of Puss in Boots, which featured the 58-year-old Spanish actor voicing the title character.

The sequel is the follow-up to 2011’s blockbusterOscar-nominated film, which grossed more than $550 million worldwide.

The film will be directed by Bob Persichetti , a veteran of animation for more than two decades, has worked in various capacities on films with DreamWorks Animation. He served as the Head of Storyand voiced a role in the original Puss in Boots.

The first Puss in Boots received an Oscar nomination in 2012 for Best Animated Feature. TheDWAtake on Puss was first introduced in 2004’s Shrek 2,voiced by Banderas. The character continued to be featured in subsequent Shrek sequels and TV shorts.

The original Puss in Boots starred the voiceover cast of Salma Hayek(Kitty Softpaws), Zach Galifianakis(Humpty Alexander Dumpty), Billy Bob Thorton(Jack), Amy Sedaris(Jill) and Constance Marie (Imelda).

No release date has been set and animation on the film will take place on the DWA lot in Glendale, CA.

Salma Hayek to Star in Sally Potter’s Latest, Still-Untitled Film

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek is embracing the drama…

The 52-year-old Mexican actress has joined the impressive cast for The Party and Orlando writer-director Sally Potter’s latest film.

In addition to the Frida star, the cast for the untitled drama includes Javier Bardem, Elle Fanning, Chris Rock and Laura Linney.

Production is underway in Spain on the feature; it will also shoot on location in New York in January.

The untitled drama follows 24 turbulent hours in the life of father and daughter Leo (Bardem) and Molly (Fanning) as she grapples with the challenges of dealing with her father’s apparently chaotic mental state. As they weave their way around New York City, their ordinary but stressful day takes on a hallucinatory and epic quality as Leo is flowing in and out of several parallel lives; a passionate marriage with his childhood sweetheart Dolores (Hayek) in Mexico; a struggling career as a drummer in Manhattan with his more successful lover, Adam (Rock); and a life of solitude on a remote Greek island, where a chance encounter with two young tourists unmasks some uncomfortable truths.

HanWay Films Vice Chairman Peter Watson commented, “We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Sally Potter and to help her realise this mesmerising story of one man’s life distilled into a day in New York. We’re also particularly excited to be partnering under a worldwide deal with our colleagues at Bleecker Street who share our taste in cinema.”

Salma Hayek to Star in the Comedy “Limited Partners”

Posted on September 29, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

There’s a new partnership in Salma Hayek’s future…

The 52-year-old Mexican actress will star alongside Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne in Limited Partners, the Paramount Pictures comedy that Miguel Arteta will direct from a script by Sam Pitman and Adam Cole-Kelly.

Haddish and Byrne play two hard-charging best girlfriends who build a juggernaut company and find their relationship tested when they are made a big buyout offer. Suddenly all the differences that made them the perfect odd-couple partners put them at war, threatening their business and personal relationships.

Hayek plays the executive who makes the buyout offer, and becomes the corporate puppet master pulling the strings in creating acrimony among the partners. That drives the duo into a display of a one-upsmanship fued that gives the comedy shades of Superbad meets Bridesmaids.

It’s a reteaming for Hayek with Arteta, who directed her in the critically acclaimed film Beatriz at Dinner, which earned her an Independent Spirit Awards nomination for Best Female Lead.

Production begins in October.

Hayek, who earned an Academy Award nomination for her starring role in Frida, recently starred in The Hummingbird Project and will reprise her role in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, the sequel to The Hitman’s Bodyguard.

Vertical Entertainment & DirecTV Pick Up U.S. Distribution Rights to Salma Hayek’s Comedy “Drunk Parents”

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

You’ll soon be able to drink in Salma Hayek’s latest project…

Vertical Entertainment and DirecTV have picked up U.S. distribution rights to BRON Studios’ comedy Drunk Parents, starring the 52-year-old Mexican actress/producer and Alec Baldwin.

The film doesn’t have a release date, but distributors are aiming for a theatrical debut sometime in the first quarter of next year.

Directed by Fred Wolf, the film centers on the attempts of two parents to hide their ever-increasing financial difficulties from their daughter and social circle through elaborate neighborhood schemes that take their lives on a hilarious downward spiral.

Jim Gaffigan, Joe Manganiello and Ben Platt also star.

Wolf and Peter Gaulke penned the screenplay for the film, which was produced by Rob Barnum and Aaron L. Gilbert.

The deal was finalized at the Toronto Film Festival.

Netflix Orders Salma Hayek-Produced Original Drama Series “Monarca”

Posted on July 4, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Salma Hayek is on Flix…

Netflix has ordered Monarca, an original drama series from Mexico produced by the 51-year-old Mexican actress/producer’s Ventanarosa Productions, Lemon Studios and Michael McDonald’s Stearns Castle.

Irene Azuela and Juan Manuel Bernal are attached to star, and production is scheduled to begin in the fall for a 2019 global premiere.

Created by Diego Gutierrez, who also serves as showrunner, and written by Lemon Studios’ Fernando Rovzar, Julia Denis, Ana Sofia Clerici and Sandra García Velten, Monarca will follow the world of wealthy Mexican elites riddled by corruption, scandal and violence. Set in the powerful world of Mexican billionaires, Monarca is a high stakes, multi-generational family saga about a tequila-born Mexican business empire, and the battle that ensues when a member of the family decides to fight the dirty system her family helped create.

“I’m extremely excited to partner with Netflix, and to be working with amazing Mexican talent in front of and behind the camera. We are proud to show Mexico as a vibrant, sophisticated and culturally rich nation, fighting to control its own destiny,” said Hayek.

“Mexico is a top priority for us in which to continue to develop series,” said Erik Barmack, VP International Originals, “and we look forward to bringing the best originals to the world through partnerships with key players such as Ventanarosa and Lemon Studios.”

Added Gutierrez: “This is the definition of a passion project for me. Having been born and raised in Mexico, I’m humbled to have the opportunity to tell this story with Netflix and the incredibly talented team of people we’re assembling, both in the U.S. and Mexico.”

Ventanarosa produced Frida, which earned Hayek nominations for an Oscar, Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA. Its other titles include Emmy and Golden Globe winner Ugly Betty, animated film Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, The Maldonado Miracle, El coronel no tiene quien le escriba and In the Time of the Butterflies.

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