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Eva Longoria: "When I was younger, I was called 'the ugly duckling.'"

2023-06-06T09:32:30.035Z

Highlights: Eva Longoria has just signed her first feature film, Flamin'Hot. The actress is committed to giving greater representation to the Latino community. The muse L'Oréal Paris tells us how much the changes to be made to the film industry are based on sisterhood. "We want to be about more than the lead role... We must be subjects rather than objects," says Longoria. "I hope that with L’Oréals "Lights on Women" award, we will succeed in highlighting the women who make cinema"


She has just signed her first feature film, Flamin'Hot, and is committed to giving greater representation to the Latino community. The muse L'Oréal Paris tells us how much the changes to be made to the film industry are based on sisterhood.


Madame Figaro.-You made your first feature film, Flamin' Hot, about a Mexican-American inventor of spicy chips, who revolutionized the agri-food industry. Did being at the helm of a film boost your sense of power?
Eva Longoria.- When you go behind the camera, you definitely feel more powerful because you have total control over the final product. That's one of the reasons I started directing and producing. As an actress, I didn't have control over many things. I just had to introduce myself and play my part. As a producer and director, you build a team, you edit, you cast, you choose the music, you do marketing... It's a lot of work, but I find it so fulfilling. I've been directing (short films and series episodes, editor's note) for more than 10 years, but having my own first feature film, and being here in Cannes, it's a great experience!

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Are there any French female directors who inspire you?
There are so many! I think of Anne Fontaine, who is a brilliant director. She has directed a few commercials for L'Oréal Paris and I love her, I love what she exudes, her energy, her films. She's fantastic.

When I was young, I was called "La prieta fea," which means "the ugly duckling" because all my sisters were blonde with light skin and eyes, and I was the only one who looked that way.

Eva Longoria

Mrs. Figaro. - Your series Searching for Mexicocelebrates your Mexican origins. What is your relationship with your roots and your genetic heritage?
Eva Longoria.- I am Latina, I am Mexican American, it is the essence of who I am. My dark hair, my dark skin, my dark eyes, I am very proud of it. When I was younger, I was called "la prieta fea," which means "the ugly duckling" because all my sisters were blonde with light skin and eyes, and I was the only one who looked that way. I remember growing up, I wondered, "Why am I so different?" Now I love my "dark" features and accept them. All of this definitely has something to do with my Mexican culture.

In video: Eva Longoria at the microphone of Madame Figaro at the Cannes Film Festival

Mrs. Figaro. - In the video Lesson on worthmade by L'Oréal Paris, you say that "no one looked like you" when you were a child because you had skin and hair "too dark". Which female role models did you grow up with?
Eva Longoria.- I identified with a lot of people in the series. I didn't look like them but I felt like them. Mary Tyler Moore, Lucille Ball... Even if they didn't look like me, I wanted to do like her, or I liked the energy they gave off. It probably wasn't until I saw Salma Hayek on screen that I thought, "Oh! She has black hair and black eyes like me!" Representations on screen are important, because if you don't see them, you think you can't be one.

People assume that there has been progress in Hollywood and that there is gender equity... But this is not the case! Industry is still run by men

Mrs. Figaro. - Do you think that the inclusivity movement has had a real impact on cinema?
Eva Longoria.- People assume that there has been progress in Hollywood and that there is gender equity... But this is not the case! The industry is still run by men, it's always very hard. Statistics on the number of women behind the camera, whether they are writers, directors, or producers, are very low. And in front of the camera, we are not yet enough the subject of the films. We want to be more than the wife or girlfriend of the lead role. Stories must be about us and made by us. We must be subjects rather than objects. We still have a lot of work to do. In particular, I hope that with L'Oréal Paris' "Lights on Women" award, we will succeed in highlighting the women who make cinema. Conversations about women in movies are very important.

Catherine Deneuve said: "In cinema, you have to choose roles that accompany your age"... Do you agree with that? Has the way you think about your film roles changed in recent years?
I think we're drawn to roles that reflect our lives. My own life inspires me. I am now a mother, I am older, I am Latina. I remember when I had my son, I played the mother of Dora the Explorer in the movie Dora and the Lost City. It was the first time I was in this position after actually experiencing motherhood. It was totally different for me. I approached the role differently, I asked myself other questions. My relationship with my "daughter" in the film changed completely. I think as our lives evolve, so do our tastes and choices. It happens naturally.

Mrs. Figaro. - The clan of L'Oréal Paris muses expands and welcomes new talented women. Is the notion of sisterhood important to you, especially in the film industry?
Eva Longoria.- There is an incredible sisterhood around me. My own family circle is filled with independent, strong and intelligent women. Same for my circle of friends for 30 years. In the industry, after Me Too and Time's up, we really created a sisterhood in Hollywood where we started talking to each other, which didn't happen before. We were kept apart from each other and spoke very little. Sisterhood is super important. Women need to support each other.

Eva Longoria's outfits at the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival

In pictures

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View slideshow08 photos

Source: lefigaro

All news articles on 2023-06-06

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