The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), the nonprofit offering programming and resources for Latino content creators and filmmakers, will hold its End of Year Celebration at the Sunset Room in Hollywood on Friday, Dec. 15.

Hosted by the Lopez Vs. Lopez actor and alum of The Daily Show, Al Madrigal the celebration which will be attended by Annie Gonzalez and Jesse Garcia (Flamin’ Hot), Chelsea Rendon (Vida), Vadhir Derbez (De Viaje Con Los Derbez), Clayton Cardenas (The Mayans), Harvey Guillen (What We Do in the Shadows), Marco Pigossi (Gen V), Omar Chaparro (No Manches Frida) among others.

As NALIP prepares for its 25th Anniversary in 2024, this event will pay tribute to trailblazers actively shaping the narrative for the Latino community. The event will recognize not only individual Latino milestones but also acknowledge the impact of diversity and inclusion on the entertainment industry.

“For the past 25 years, NALIP has established itself as a beacon of empowerment and advocacy for Latino creatives in the film and media industry. This year, amidst challenges like strikes that temporarily dimmed our jubilation, we recognize not just the hurdles but also the triumphs that emerged in their wake,” said Diana Luna, Executive Director of NALIP. “This End of Year Celebration aims to honor the remarkable progress and resilience of our talented community, a narrative shaped by overcoming adversity and embracing the enduring spirit of achievement.”

“It’s a privilege to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Latino content creators and industry professionals who continue to inspire and shape our cultural landscape,” said Craig Robinson, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at NBCUniversal. “We also take pride in supporting NALIP’s mission to empower and provide opportunities for talented individuals, ensuring a thriving community of diverse voices in the film industry for years to come.”

For more information in attendence visit NALIP.ORG

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Empanadas anyone?  The empanadas at Empanada Loca are extra tasty since Dolores Roach took up residence in the basement of one of the last Latino owned businesses in Washington Height in New York. 

Justina Machado plays the title role of Dolores Roach in this mesmerizing and bone-chilling tale of betrayal and cannibalism in the Amazon series The Horror of Dolores Roach which  grips viewers with its dark and twisted narrative.  

Machado delivers a remarkable performance, showcasing her versatility as an actress and bringing depth to the complex character of Dolores Roach. Whether she is playing a disturbing and horrifying serial killer, as in this series, or a single mom in the 2017 comedy hit series One Day at a Time, (where she was named the “One of the Most Dynamic Actresses on TV” by Harper’s Bazaar magazine), Machado always delivers with exceptional acting skills.

The series follows Dolores Roach, a woman recently released from a 16-year prison sentence, only to return to a gentrified neighborhood that is unrecognizable to her. Desperate to reunite with her former boyfriend, the neighborhood drug dealer, Dolores expects gratitude for not exposing his involvement in drug dealing. However, as the story unfolds, Dolores discovers that she was set up and seeks revenge, leading her down a path of murder, cannibalism, and twisted reasoning.

Machado seamlessly navigates the nuances of comedy and horror, delivering a chilling performance that keeps viewers simultaneously drawn to and frightened of her character. Dolores’ relationship with Luis Batista, played by Alejandro Hernandez, adds an eerie and unsettling dynamic to the series. The twisted romance between a killer and a cook becomes a central element, with Luis aiding Dolores in disposing of her victims – in a most delicious way.

The Horror of Dolores Roach cleverly employs Dolores’ internal narration, allowing viewers to understand her twisted justifications for her heinous acts. The series is a dark and horrifying tale that tackles themes of betrayal, mental illness, and the consequences of one’s actions. It hooks viewers from the beginning, likening it to the chilling atmosphere of “Sweeney Todd”, making Machado’s portrayal of Dolores Roach captivating and making it impossible not to both fear and empathize with her.

Throughout the series, the line between good and evil becomes blurred as Dolores seeks revenge against those who wronged her. The narrative is gripping and relentless, with each episode deepening the viewers’ connection to Dolores’ twisted world. While the themes of drugs, cannibalism, and mental instability may be unsettling for some, they serve as integral elements that contribute to the atmosphere and the character’s motivations.

Written and directed by Aaron Mark, who draws inspiration from his experience as a self-proclaimed “gentrifier” in Washington Heights, delves into the darkest corners of human nature. Mark originally crafted the story for Panamanian actress Daphne Rubin-Vega as a play, which later gained popularity as a podcast and ultimately made its way to television. The rights to the TV series were acquired by Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions, and also executive produced by Gloria Calderon Kellet through Glo Productions.

The featured cast includes a diverse talent pool that includes Kita Updike, K. Todd Freeman,
Jean Yoon, Ilan Eskenazi, Jessica Pimentel among others. The stand our guest stars include Judy Reyes who plays Marcie, the new neighborhood drug dealer and a dicey character played by Cyndi Lauper.

The Horror of Dolores Roach is an unforgettable and addictive TV series that demands attention. Justina Machado’s outstanding performance, combined with Aaron Mark’s skillful storytelling, creates a truly gripping and haunting experience. Brace yourself for a journey into the depths of darkness as you witness Dolores Roach’s descent into evil and the twisted reasoning behind her actions.

Originally created by Aaron Mark as a one-woman play, Empanada Loca for Panamanian actress Daphne Rubin-Vega, Mark created, wrote, and directed the original podcast and penned the series pilot script. The new series comes from Mark, who also serves as co-showrunner and executive producer with Dara Resnik, alongside executive producers Daphne Rubin-Vega; Jason Blum, Chris McCumber, Jeremy Gold, and Chris Dickie for Blumhouse Television; Dawn Ostroff,Mimi O’Donnell, and Justin McGoldrick for Spotify; Gloria Calderón Kellett for GloNation Studios; and Roxann Dawson, who also directed the pilot.

All eight episodes of “The Horror of Dolores Roach” are available to stream on Amazon Prime Video as of July 7 on Amazon Prime #DoloresRoach

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By Julio Martinez

After many years of playing mainly fictitious characters in TV and films, Scrubs and Devious Maids star Judy Reyes is glad about taking on the role of a real person in a new Lifetime project. She co-stars in Torn From Her Arms, a movie depicting the harrowing true story of an immigrant mother and her daughter who must find their way back to each other after being detained and separated by immigration authorities in the U.S. The movie debuts Oct. 30. 

Torn From Her Arms follows Cindy Madrid (Fátima Molina) and her six-year-old daughter Ximena (Camila Nuñez), who fled violence in El Salvador for safety in America, only to be torn apart upon crossing into the U.S. under the Trump Administration’s Zero Tolerance Policy against undocumented immigrants. Detained in different states, mother and daughter endured inhumane living conditions, inadequate medical care and the emotional toll of being apart.

The case of Madrid and Ximena made headlines worldwide and shook America to its core in 2018. Tragedy and danger marked their long journey. Madrid’s boyfriend was reportedly killed in their home country as they were coming north and her daughter was almost snatched from her, too. 

In the film, Reyes plays Thelma Garcia, a Texas immigration lawyer who works tirelessly to reunite the mother-daughter duo after their forced separation in the Lone Star state. 

“Of course, I had heard of the stories of parents being separated at the border and the reports of the mistreatment of children,” says Reyes in an interview promoting the film. “I was excited to be cast as a real-life person who accomplished so much against overwhelming odds.” 

A production of Ozy Media and Motion Picture Corporation of America, Torn From Her Arms is directed by Mexican filmmaker Alan Jonsson Gavica, whose feature credits include the award-winning films Morenita, el Escandalo and La Carga. The script was by screenwriters Tawnya Bhattacharya and Ali Laventhol, who have worked together on TV series like Ginny & Georgia and Perception.  

Reyes immersed herself in immigration law and also got to know the attorney she plays in the movie to get more insights into her prominent immigration case. “After I got the script, I started studying the Zero (Tolerance) Policy which began in 2018,” reveals the actress. “Then I met with Thelma Garcia, the lawyer whom I portray, and got more specific details about the procedures involved in reuniting this mother and (her) daughter. I realized that being able to portray a person who was such a vital part of this story was a true gift to me.” 

From the attorney, Reyes says she learned that practicing immigration law is tough because losses often outweigh victories. “However, when you get that win, you know you have changed that person’s life forever,” she states. 

The actress was also impressed by the lawyer’s devotion to immigrants. “I was delighted to meet Thelma and spend time with her,” she says. “That was really mind-blowing. She is in her 70s and she is still an active advocate for immigration.” Reyes adds, “It often gets complicated but she knows in her heart and soul it is the right thing to do. This matter-of-factness is what makes Thelma Garcia a true hero.”

Another hero portrayed in the film is ProPublica journalist Ginger Thompson, who broke the story of Madrid and her child. The Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter is played by Gloria Reuben, star of ER and Mr. Robot.

In time for film’s debut Lifetime, the cable TV network partnered up with Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a nongovernmental organization devoted to the protection of unaccompanied and separated children, to produce a public service announcement featuring the cast from Torn from Her Arms. Lifetime is also donating $10,000 to KIND to help in their efforts to raise awareness to the ongoing issue of family separation at the border. The video features Judy Reyes, Fatima Molina and Vicky Araico and will air on Lifetime following the movie’s premiere and will run on both the network and KIND’s social and digital platforms.

Featured Photo: Judy Reyes in ‘Torn From Her Arms’ (Credit: Lifetime)

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