Thursday, September 8, 2016

No Manches Frida: L.A. Premiere Exclusive Photos

By José Alberto Hermosillo

Omar Chaparro, Martha Higadera. No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016

Latino moviegoers are hungry for more Latino theme-oriented films, and “No Manches Frida” is one of those few movies that can fulfill the representation of Latinos on the big screen in the United States.


Last week, we had the opportunity to attend the LA premiere of “No Manches Frida” or, in English, “W.T.F. Frida” at the LA Live in Downtown. That red carpet was a lot of fun to work on. 

No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016
 

The main actors, producers, and other Hispanic celebrities paraded in front of more than two dozen reporters and photographers from the local Latino media.
 
No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016
 
Panteleon produced this remake of the German film “Suck Me Shakespeare /Fack Ju Göhte,” directed by Bora Dagtekin. Spanish-born Nacho G. Velilla directs the Mexican version.
 
No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016
“Suck Me Shakespeare” had terrible reviews in its home country, the critics said it was one of the worse German films ever, but its success at the box office had the producers rush its sequel - a field trip to Thailand, the European paradise for sex-tourism.
Adal Ramones and his daughter. No Manches Frida, LA Premiere.  Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016
 
About “No Manches Frida,” the American critics have not said anything negative or positive because they haven’t seen the movie. The distribution company focuses on marketing the film to Hispanics only. 
 
No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016
 
One of the main reasons to go out to the movies is to laugh and have fun. This teen comedy will entertain the audience because “No Manches Frida” is a feel-good movie.
 
REIK, No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016
 
The music score of “No Manches Frida” is excellent. It has some original songs composed by the renowned and talented Mexican pop band REIK (who also appeared in the movie).  

Technically, the movie is well made - the colors are sharp, the editing is fast, the sound is good, and the finishing product is excellent (including credits, publicity, and image). Those elements made up for the problems with the story, script adaptation, directing, and acting. 
 
Omar Chaparro, No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016
The Ex-Con, suddenly turned into a substitute teacher, played by Omar Chaparro (“Strings Attached,” “Compadres”), does not stick to the nature of his character. The main character is influenced by pretentiousness.

The actor’s personality overwhelms the character’s actions. He is the same throughout the movie, with no room for growth. His jokes could be more clumsy and out of character lines. 

Chaparro’s stuck-up attitude detracts attention from the viewer, who is a puzzle trying to follow the story.
No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. Copyrights 2016
 
Inside the “Frida College” everyone is very “fresa” (rich kids), even this substitute teacher. Chaparro’s performance is very “fresa” for a “Mara” (a gang member). 
 
No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016
 
The director should have created a complete bio on the Ex-Con for Chaparro to deliver a credible, strict teacher and for his students to fear him.
 
Omar Chaparro, Martha Higadera, No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyright 2016
Martha Higadera (“Street Kings,” “Mariachi Gringo,” “McFarland, USA”) does an excellent job as the sweetest teacher everybody dreams of. 

Higadera plays a low-key nerdy teacher; her evolution is more believable and approachable than his male counterpart.
No Manches Frida, LA Premiere. Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016

 

In the film’s plotting, location is the key. The importance of the school’s newly built gym is not given until the very end. Yes, we know the hidden stolen money is under, but the tension is not quite there.

The Ex-Con is excavating a tunnel to reach out for the money, yet nothing substantial happens during the movie inside the gym.

The excessive use of profanity, mannerisms, and graffiti on the blackboard can be offensive to some viewers.
 
Fernanda Castillo (“El Senor de los Cielo”) rocked the red carpet of No Manches Frida.
Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016

People go to the movies for fun, and “No Manches Frida” is great. 

While the Mexican comedy continues making money at the North American box office, the film is expanding to more theaters.

 

Aislinn Derbez ("A la Mala"). Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016

 

To this fantastic movie premiere of “No Manches Frida,” other Latino celebrities showed their love and support for this new project of Cine Mexicano that has captivated the Hispanic market in the United States. 

 

Karla Souza "Nosotros los Nobles," Sundown," "¿Qué culpa tiene el niño?").Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016
Aislinn Derbez (“A la Mala”) and his father Eugenio Derbez (“Instructions Not Included,” “Miracles from Heaven”).
Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. 
© Copyrights 2016
"No Manches Frida" LA Premiere Interior Photo by Jose A Hermosillo. © Copyrights 2016

Copyright © Festival in LA, 2016

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