Leslie Grace: singer, songwriter and now actress 1:21
(CNN Spanish) -
After a year of waiting, the film "In the Heights" ("In the neighborhood") hits the big screens loaded with dreams, music, dances and Latin flavor to the fullest.
Starring Anthony Ramos, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Corey Hawkins and its creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda, among other great names, "In the Heights" tells the story of the Hispanic community that lives in the New York neighborhood of Washington Heights. .
Zona Pop CNN spoke with Mexican actress Melissa Barrera, who, from her home in Los Angeles, could not contain the emotion of having participated in this film.
Mexican actress Melissa Barrera decided to leave Mexico to go to the United States and look for her "little dream" (Photo Warner Bros. Brothers)
Melissa Barrera, a Mexican who will reach very high
In her 30s, Melissa has had great job opportunities.
He participated in the series "Perseguidos" in 2016 and "Club de Cuervos" in 2017. In cinema he worked on the films "El hotel", "Shake off the penalties" and "Twice you".
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How are you like your character? »
Melissa Barrera
«I am from Monterrey and I left because I thought that if I wanted to be an actress, I should go for the best and that was when I decided to go to New York and leave Monterrey.
Then I went to Mexico City to work and since then, I have been looking for where the opportunities are, like my character Vanessa ».
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What is "In the Heights" about?
The story revolves around the Hispanic characters who live in the Washington Heights neighborhood on the island of Manhattan for 3 days, including the 4th of July.
Surrounded by the smell of hot coffee, the long days in the summer pool, the raspados or canoes of flavors, such as chita and mamey, and the music that represents everything for Latinos, are just some elements that surround this story.
Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), the protagonist, dreams of one day being able to have his own bar in the Dominican Republic, his place of origin.
Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), Usnavi's crush, seeks to leave her life behind in the Washington Heights neighborhood and move to the trendy neighborhood: the West Village.
Benny (Corey Hawkins) and Nina (Leslie Grace) can't hide their love for each other anymore.
All the characters have "dreams". Who will be able to fulfill them?
Benny (Corey Hawkins) and Nina (Leslie Grace) must fight for their love and their future.
(Photo Warner Bros. Pictures)
Lin-Manuel Miranda: An example to follow for its simplicity
To mention the name of Lin-Manuel Miranda today is to speak of creativity, triumph and simplicity.
He wrote "In the Heights" when he was in high school, and a few years later, in 2008, it premiered on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theater.
Those who have worked with him have only positive words.
Vanessa was a fan before meeting him and working together: «I can't explain to you what a fan I was of Lin-Manuel… And being in front of him, I was shocked the first time I met him».
“He is so generous and loving and I was like a small child when I saw that a movie of his musical was being made.
She has a super pretty aura, so you relax a lot and it inspires you a lot to see how hard she works, "he adds.
Latinos are human and we share dreams
"In the Heights" shows the Latino family union, the respect that exists for the elderly, the joy with which they live day to day and how this community supports itself "through thick and thin."
For Melissa, the film is a vindication of Latinos to Hollywood: “The most important thing for me is to see Latinos in a positive light because for many years we have been punished by Hollywood.
They always put us on paper with connotations that are not positive and violent.
«To be part of a film that talks about the community and how together we are stronger and how we lift each other up with incredible messages for everyone to see and understand that Latinos are human and we share dreams and frustrations that everyone has.
It's a very universal story, "adds the Mexican actress and singer.
The characters of Carla (Stephanie Beatriz), Daniela (Daphne Rubin-Vega) and Cuca (Dascha Polanco), give the film a funny touch.
(Photo Warner Bros. Pictures)
Who is who?
Usnavi - Anthony Ramos
Nina - Leslie Grace
Benny - Corey Hawkins
Vanessa - Melissa Barrera
Daniela - Daphne Ruben-Vega
Kevin - Jimmy Smiths
Grandmother Claudia - Olga Merediz
Mr. Piragüero - Lin-Manuel Miranda
If you like musicals, this is an excellent adaptation of the musical version that was presented on Broadway.
You will see great musical numbers with dazzling choreography.
First-rate voices and you will realize that "dreams" can become reality.
There are more surprises to discover that we will not tell you.
"In the Heights" or "En el Barrio" opens in the United States on Thursday, June 10 and reaches all of Latin America on Friday, June 17.
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