LAist Interview: El Superstar Director Amy French
Spencer French as El Superstar
Opening today at the Laemmle Monica, “El Superstar: The Unlikely Rise of Juan Francés” is a musical mockumentary following John French, a boy of Scottish descent raised by Mexican parents. Now a grown man gifted with an extraordinary talent for ranchero music, he must navigate the tricky waters of cultural identity and newfound celebrity.
What may seem to be an outlandish storyline was actually inspired by the childhood experiences of writer/director Amy French and her brother Spencer (in his acting debut as the lead role). Growing up in Los Angeles, both were raised in part by a Mexican family. The two collaborated on the script together and the fond memories of this upbringing are apparent in portrayals of Nena (Lupe Ontiveros) -- the nanny who adopts John -- and stepfather, E.J. (Danny Trejo). The comedy, executive produced by Norman Lear and George Lopez, is filled with cheeky songwriting and rambunctious improvisation. LAist talked to the director about crafting the playful world of Juan Francés for her first feature film.
You made a film about a white guy who is Mexican and you play with certain stereotypes. Did you ever question what you were doing and how you were portraying this?
AF: Throughout the process of making this film, I believed that so long as I was operating from a place of love and respect, I could push the boundaries a little bit with the comedy -- almost like a guarantee that the audience would never "laugh at," but rather, "laugh with." Although we threw tested-out stereotypes here and there, we were doing it mindfully...and with a white dude playing them out to see what that might expose! At the end of the day, so much of the movie is plucked directly from our childhood, that the story is, at its core, a love letter to that time in our lives, and feels, to us, incredibly nostalgic and personal. So really, the joke's on us.
One thing last about stereotype: often in Latin American art (painting especially) what might appear at first to be stereotype is actually archetype, and used as a way of celebrating traditional cultural roles, which is something that I tried to play around with, too.
Danny Trejo as EJ
You employed a lot of improv in this film; can you talk about one of your favorite moments?
AF: The actors all dove into the improv fearlessly, it was awesome. I really lucked out with the guys who played Juan's biggest fans, Amir and Mahmood (Pej Vahdat and Sam Golzari). From day one they had such amazing chemistry and timing together, always finishing each other’s thoughts...There was so much of them I could've used, it was heartbreaking whenever I had to trim stuff out. Oh! And when Angelica (Maria Esquivel) is canoodling with the African bird and the thing poops on her---it kills me every time I watch it. But then again, poop is an endless source of amusement to me.
This film is quite a showcase for LA. What did you want to portray with our city?
AF: Where else in the world could you set a story that is both about a small, loving blue-collar Mexican family, and the insatiable, destructive Hollywood celebrity machine? L.A. was it. Also, this is my hometown, and this story is about growing up here, so I wanted to capture the sunlight and the colors, the flavors and the smells, and all the different people. We did our best with our micro-budget run-and-gun shooting schedule!
Director Amy French
AF: I want them to come away singing Juan's songs! The music is the seed from which the whole story grew, and it's through the music that you really see how deeply Juan, a pink-faced orphan of Scottish descent, connects with his Mexican upbringing. That's why in the movie, the Virgin of Guadalupe blessed him with the Gift of Many Voices, giving him the ability to harmonize with himself. It's a nod to magical realism, yes, and it also makes the songs sound better, sure, but most importantly, it's the moral of the story. Nobody is ever just one person from one place, but rather, we are each a combination of all the people and the cultures who bring warmth and music to our lives. In harmony and into eternity, Amen.
You made a movie, which is quite a feat. What is your advice to all the up-and-coming filmmakers who live in LA?
AF: I know, I still can't believe I made a movie. I'm lucky I didn't have any time to think about it or else I would've been, like, this is crazy! I had never directed a film in my life, and now I'm making a feature length musical mockumentary improvisational biopic in Spanish and English? That's my advice, I guess. Just go for it. You learn along the way, there is never going to be a day when you know everything, and mistakes are usually little blessings wearing elaborate disguises.
One more thing: never ever show your investors the three hour rough cut, no matter how much they say they want to see it. They don't want to see it, and it will scare them.
What is next for you?
AF: I am currently one of eight lucky participants in the American Film Institute's Directing Workshop for Women, so I have to finish up the short I shot there this summer. After that, I'll just have to keep hustling to shoot as much stuff as I can...like the hard-working Mexican girl I was raised to be.