"Stereotypically Me really hits me right in the heart. As a Latina that works in the arts industry, I am always having an internal conflict with my "Latinaness". Am I being too American or too Latina? Do I need to change myself to become more successful? Linda Nieves-Powell always creates characters that speak to me. This film realistically shows the internal conflict that all Latinas have on a daily basis, and the fact that Linda even exists shows us that we CAN be ourselves and have success. Just stick to your "quenepas" ladies! Just like the muse Marisol says, "...in 50 years, every script you write will sell because the color of the world will be us."
-- Tiffany Vega (General Manager of the Hip Hop Theater Festival)
"Linda Nieves Powell touches on a sensitive topic that many artists, actors and musicians are faced with; selling out. In this 10 minute short film, STEREOTYPICALLY ME, we meet writer Lydia Maldonado as she is being read a rejection letter aloud. The literary agent trashes her storyline and characters as being too ghetto, unlikeable and will find Middle America unable to relate. The letter ends with a series of generic well wishes that send Lydia into a downward spiral of self criticism and reflection on the clichés and stereotypes that plague her thoughts and writing. She finds herself at a crossroads between being true to her inspirational inner voice (Marisol; a loud, sarcastic, caramel-complexioned, curly haired muse) or watering it down with less slang and phrases from the Ebonics and Urban dictionaries. As the final scene intimately captures Lydia sitting at her desk, we are left with the question: Will she swap the ghettolicious, comedic muse for a more generic, Americanized Nueva Latina? I wouldn't mind seeing an extended version of the power struggle between Lydia and her muse, Marisol. There is a push and pull, sort of dance in the kitchen scene that shows this struggle without dialogue that was executed perfectly. Along with another scene that is a flashback into their time shared creating. I'm sure there is more dissection of breaking into the mainstream mentality to come. Well done!"
-- Meriam Rodriguez (author, poet, performer)
"In Linda Nieves- Powell's short film, STEREOTYPICALLY ME, the lead character Lydia Maldonado struggles with success as a writer and believes that she must sacrifice parts of herself, particularly her sassy boisterous muse Marisol and what she calls her "colorful attitude", in order to have a voice within the mainstream conversation. As Lydia sets out to rid herself of her Latina muse, she is quickly reminded that their relationship is interdependent. Lydia's insecurity is met with Marisol's staunch belief that "in 50 years the color of the world will be us". Linda Nieves- Powell addresses an issue that concerns many artists grappling to find that "magical place" where their talents, ideas, flavors, colors, accents, and distinct muses are accepted and loved. I look forward to viewing the entire film and hope that Marisol is saved from the acceptable mold Lydia is trying to force into existence. Congrats Linda! You are creating that "magical place" for all of us!"
-- Peggy Robles-Alvarado (poet, writer, performer, educator)
REVIEWS
"I watched Stereotypically Me three times! The relationship between Lydia and her musé (lol) Marisol is a great analogy for the very real tug-of-war Latinos struggle with when trying to balance their identity between two cultures. We love who we are and yet we need to evolve and grow and that often means giving something up. I love that both Lydia and Marisol recognize that they can't live without each other - despite the fact that Lydia thinks she's outgrown Marisol. This brings a sense of truth to this conflict. I also love that Marisol doesn't want to change. We don't see that perspective a lot. She's grounded in her identity and is happy about it. Unfortunately, that's the very thing that Lydia wants to give up.I too want to live in that magical place that Lydia speaks about. I think about out grandparents and parents who worked hard to assimilate, did it give their children the access and agency they hoped it would?
-- JF Seary (Writer, Poet, Actor)
"Stop what you're doing and pay attention to Stereotypically Me. There's no media movement that matters more than reclaiming our stories from the limited, white people friendly, over-crowded single narrative landscape. Stereotypically Me showcases the tension and joy behind developing complex & unique stories about real Latinas. Linda Nieves-Powell directs this short film with joyful precision: you will be wracked. You will debate what it means to be Latina on TV, in films, in media and most importantly in real life. Stereotypically Me is a short film that needs to be a feature because it's already a classic moment in film."
-- Gabrielle Rivera (writer, director)
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"The film was hilarious and incredibly profound... perhaps in a way that only a good comedy can be. I had laughed and bonded with these women so when the moment arrived, the absence was deafening. I felt the loss as though it were my own. Thank you for speaking for all of us, Linda."
- Maria Nieto (writer, producer, WGA member)
"I watched "Stereotypically Me" on a morning a few days ago with my five-month old son. A product of the Latina environment, he was enthralled by the colorful and powerful Latina subconscious that was the star of the film, that is, the inner personality we all struggle to tame as Linda Nieves-Powell shows. Coming to terms with our "Latina-ness" is what makes us, and through the incredible humor of the piece there is a sadness, an ambivalence that permeates. The choice that Latina writers have to undergo, of letting "her" die inside. This piece just wrestles with the monotonous, daily struggle of whether to tone down our culture, language and selves or embrace it all despite the world hurling these stereotypes our way. There is a hybridity in our Latina identities, one composed of the anglicized, watered down, Americanized version AND the other, full-fledged version of our Latina selves and all sides are okay. Navigating the carefully delineated borders of this identity in a humorous and passionate manner is Linda Nieves-Powell's gift to us."
-- Cynthia Estremera
(Cynthia is in her second year of her doctorate degree in English)
Read her work: http://beyondbabymamas.com/2013/08/01/phd-mama-a-pregnant-latina-academic-debunks-traditional-myths-of-motherhood/
