Director Patricia Cardoso makes her feature-film debut with this movie based on the play of the same name by Josefina Lopez, which the latter based on events in her life. Ms. Lopez also had a hand in writing the screenplay, along with George LaVoo.
This movie is a look at the life of East Los Angeles. But more than that, it is also a look at family. Our story focuses on a Mexican-American teenager named Ana (America Ferrera). She has just completed her years at high school and has won a scholarship to Columbia University. However, her mother, Carmen (Lupe Ontiveros), and her sister, Estela (Ingrid Oliu), have other plans for her.
They feel that it is time for Ana to join the workforce and support her family. It is not a time for college. They want her to work at her sister's sweatshop making dresses. She gives in to the pressure from her family and starts working. Over the summer, she comes to admire the hardworking seamstresses and their sense of camaraderie.
This film was originally scheduled to have an HBO release rather than being shown in theaters. However, it had a very successful reception at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival (Audience Award for Best Dramatic Feature) and HBO decided to give it a general theatrical release. It will be shown on HBO in 2003. (Marty Doskins/BOP)
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