On Friday, Sundance-winning film "Fruitvale Station" hits theaters. The film represents the first major success for a number of different participants including actress Melonie Diaz. The New York thespian spoke with Latinos Post's David Salazar this past week about working on the film as well as her growth as a Latin American actress.
In the truth-based film, Diaz plays Sophina, the wife of the ill-fated Oscar. The actress had an opportunity to meet the real-life Sophina in order to inform her performance and learn about the dynamics of her relationship with Oscar. However, Diaz emphasized her desire to seek out her essence in her performance rather than resort to mimicry.
"I didn't want to mimic her. I didn't want to pretend be her. I wanted to understand how much she loved him and the dynamics of their relationship because I feel that she knew him the best out of everyone," said Diaz, who was confident that she succeeded in her portrayal. "I think I hit her on the nose. I think she's tough. I think that she is passionate. I think that she is a good mother. I think that she is not afraid to fight with her boyfriend. I think she's great."
The film builds to a tragic sequence in which the characters must learn to cope with death. Diaz noted that these moments were the hardest for her to film.
"I feel like Sophina goes through the most change. She's definitely in a difficult domestic relationship. And then they kind of figure it out and then she loses him in the end," she said. "Her arc, by far, is the most complex...I think the audience lives through her."
The actress revealed that the shooting schedule did help her develop the performance. The climactic sequences were originally scheduled early in the shoot, but conflicts forced them to be moved to the end of production.
"I'm so happy that that shifted because I was able to kind of get to know [co-star Michael B. Jordan] a little bit better," she stated. "He's just so likeable as a person, so easy to love. And I think that that really helped that intensity in the end."
Diaz also revealed that getting to meet Jordan, who plays Oscar, prior to filming was a major part of preparing for the role. The two went to the San Francisco bay area a bit earlier than the rest of the cast and crew and spent time getting to know one another to build the family vibe.
"We just like hung out. We got drinks. He cooked for me," she narrated. "We went to a basketball game. I think there's something really simple about just getting to know a person that really affects a performance because you kind of know their triggers and you know what to give them and what not to give them.
"Mike is also a giving actor. So when you're working with someone like it him, it's not hard to go there."
Another actress that Diaz got to know well was Octavia Spencer, who plays Oscar's mother Wanda. According to Diaz, meeting the Academy Award winner was a major inspiration.
"She's everything. I think there's a reason why she's an Oscar winner. I do feel like good things come to good people and people who work really hard and are resilient and persistent," Diaz said. "What is crazy is that she's been doing this for so long. She makes me feel like dreams do come true. It's not easy when you're a woman of color in this industry and she's managed to always have integrity and be wonderful at the same time. But also be really professional. I am really just so happy that I know her."
Diaz was born in New York to parents of Puerto Rican descent. The Hispanic actress revealed that because of her demographic, she has often been asked to audition for roles that create stereotypes of Latin American women and culture.
"I can read you the breakdown," she noted. "Sexy cop, 25 [years old]. Attitude: Spicy or something weird like that. Some real cliché. And I'm so over that."
Despite running into these kinds of dead ends, Diaz is positive that Latin American actors and actresses have a bright future in the industry with projects that portray them fairly.
"I think I've managed to choose things that defy the normal idea of what a Latina actress should be," she added. "I do feel like there is room for us. I think people are kind of realizing that we're not just one thing. We're as dynamic and cultural as everybody else."
The producers of the award-winning show "Girls" seemingly saw that potential and allowed her the opportunity to appear on an upcoming episode.
"I think I'm the first Latina on that show which is very exciting. It's really cool to be a part of that world," she enthused.
According to IMDB.com, Diaz is also scheduled to work on the film "X/Y" alongside America Ferrara, Ann Dowd, Common, Amber Tamblyn, and David Harbour.
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