“The important thing about having a Quinceañera is the celebration with your friends and family”

 “Alondra Smiles: A Quinceañera Story” is Conchita Villa’s coming-of-age experience as writer and director of Latino films

The young filmmaker, who has participated in movies such as the Gregory Nava-directed films “My Family/Mi Familia” and “Selena” starring Jennifer Lopez, takes us into the life of the young Alondra and shows the difference between a humble Quince and a lavish one.

The film has received numerous awards including the Director’s Gold Award at the International Family Film Festival and was recently released for DVD distribution. Now, the young Mexican-American is looking to television networks to pitch her movie as a television series.

Why choose this theme for your directorial debut?
I wanted it to be about something that sends a positive message about the Hispanic community. Since I produced this film with my family, I wanted it to be a movie that the entire family can watch together without having the abuelita cover her ears in some parts and the young ones covering their eyes in certain scenes.

I suppose that the idea for the film came from your numerous Quince invites?
I went to many Quince parties and while some were very lavish, others were very humble. They were both equally beautiful but somehow the different ways of celebrating always stayed with me.

What is the message you want to send through your movie?
It was all about going back to the basics of why having a Quinceañera is important. It’s a celebration with your family, your friends, but most importantly, God.

Having attended numerous Quince celebrations in the States and Mexico, what would you say is the biggest difference in the way that a Quinceañera is celebrated?
You’re considered a young woman when you turn 15 in Mexico and everyone respects that. Here, we just see it as a party with friends. It’s not wrong to have huge party but I hope girls don’t forget the true meaning of having a Quinceañera.

And that’s what you show in “Alondra Smiles”?
It is. Now that I’m older, I see myself having more of a humble Quince, like the main character did in the film. This film showed that it’s not about who has the best invitations, or the most original party favors, it really showed the heart of the tradition.

Are you thinking about doing a sequel to “Alondra”?
Maybe in the near future. But my plan now is to make it into a television show that will start when Alondra is 10 years old and moves in to live with her grandparents. The series would build up to her Quince celebration where we would show the differences between the new and old Quince traditions.

Sounds like you have it all figured out.
Well, yes. Much like “Alondra Smiles” first began, it’s been stirring in my mind.

This post is also available in: Spanish