Quote

I didn't know I wanted to do films until I started to do them. Very few films are made in Mexico and film-making belonged to a very specific group, a clique.

I've done about 15 movies and four television series in Mexico. My last two movies were the highest grossing in Mexican-cinema history - 'Nosotros los Nobles' and 'Instructions Not Included.'

I'd love to make another film in Mexico.

There just aren't enough positive portrayals of Latino life in film.

I was brought up the Mexican way, where actors are paid very little and every part you take is an act of faith. If people respect that, then great.

There's virtually nothing made up in 'The Immigrant.' So much of the film came from somewhere in my family's past. All the details are from my own family.

First of all, just knowing people who grew up in the movie business at that time, no one had Mexican maids.

I had to endure the worst time of all in terms of racial discrimination in Hollywood when I first started out. It was inconcievable to American directors and producers that a Mexican woman could have a lead role.

I was lucky that audiences in Mexico liked my work. I was even luckier when I got to do movies and plays with my brothers.

Many Mexican directors are scared to shoot in Mexico City, which is why there are many stories in Mexican cinema about little rural towns, or set a hundred years ago.