The Story of Who We Are: Gregory Nava Helps Celebrate Selena’s 50th Birthday | Interviews


Is that available on a streaming service?

It isn’t. It’s available on DVD, but we’re looking into seeing if we can get it streamed and get some focus on it because it’s a very important film, I think. It’s one that I’ve very proud of and has had a tremendous impact, actually, within its own world. 

How has “Selena” impacted you personally? When someone finds out that you directed “Selena,” what reaction do you get?

It’s unbelievable. I’ll tell you a story. I was at a weight loss spa, and I was on a treadmill, and there was a guy next to me on a treadmill. He was a good ol’ boy from Texas, an older guy, and we were doing the treadmill together, and he’s asking me what I do—I get this question all the time—and I said, “Well, I’m a filmmaker.” He goes, “Oh really? Have you made any movies that I might’ve heard of?” And I thought, ‘I hate getting that question,’ but I said, “Well, I’ve made a few things,” and he said, “Tell me what.” And I said, “Well, I made a movie in Texas.” He goes, “Really? What was it?” And I thought, ‘Oh god, this guy is a good ol’ boy, and ‘Selena’ is about the Tejano community. The relationship between the Tejano community and the Texas community is problematic at best.” Anyway, so I said, “‘Selena.’” And he says, “‘Selena’? That’s my favorite movie! That’s the greatest movie about Texas ever made!” And from that point on, this guy was all over me. He wouldn’t leave me alone. He was buying me everything he could get. He was treating me to everything you could imagine. We snuck out one night for a steak dinner with the greatest bottle of wine, and he wanted to pay for everything, because I made “Selena” and he loved “Selena.”

I’ve gotten that response from the Latino community—from Tejanos and Chicano. They love the movie, and when they find out I made it, oh my God, you couldn’t imagine it. But what amazes me is everybody loves that movie. I’ll meet some blonde shopkeeper at a store in Orange County, and boy, when she found out I made “Selena,” she went crazy. She said she saw it as a little girl, and she identified with Selena. All these women identified with Selena, and so many men and women relate to the father-daughter relationship. Women’s relationship with their fathers is such an important part of their lives, and they tell me that movie “Selena” meant more to them because of her relationship with her dad.

Nick James, who was the editor of Sight and Sound magazine, saw “Selena” at a film festival, and he came up to me afterwards and said, “It’s not my kind of movie, but I cried. I have a daughter, and I’ve gotta tell you, it made me cry.” And I thought, ‘It touches people because it reaches a deep human level. That’s what I wanted to capture. I really wanted to capture Selena’s spirit in that film, and that’s what we focused on in doing it. It’s such a tragic event, and there is no way that you can bring Selena back, but I wanted to do everything I could to try to bring something positive to this horrific tragedy.

 

 

You can view the original article HERE.

‘SNL’ Alum Victoria Jackson Slams Tom Hanks MAGA Skit as ‘Stupid’
‘SNL’ Alum Victoria Jackson Slams Tom Hanks MAGA Skit as ‘Stupid’
Hooters Waitress Sophia Gabrielle Ross Avoids Jail Time After Viral DUI Arrest
Hooters Waitress Sophia Gabrielle Ross Avoids Jail Time After Viral DUI Arrest
Stephen A. Smith Shuts Down Rumor He’ll Run for U.S. Presidency In 2028
Stephen A. Smith Shuts Down Rumor He’ll Run for U.S. Presidency In 2028
Mathilde Tantot’s Telling the Truth with Her Hottest Shots
Mathilde Tantot’s Telling the Truth with Her Hottest Shots
‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Premiere Sets New Records for the Show
‘The White Lotus’ Season 3 Premiere Sets New Records for the Show
Brenda Robinson, Acting President of Film Independent, Set to Preside Over 40th Spirit Awards; Aidy Bryant Cheerfully Returns as Host | Features
Brenda Robinson, Acting President of Film Independent, Set to Preside Over 40th Spirit Awards; Aidy Bryant Cheerfully Returns as Host | Features
Celebrate ‘SNL’s 50th With ‘Saturday Night’ on Netflix
Celebrate ‘SNL’s 50th With ‘Saturday Night’ on Netflix
Seth Rogen Destroys Complains About Cancel Culture in Comedy
Seth Rogen Destroys Complains About Cancel Culture in Comedy
Vince Staples wants to be in ‘Severance’: “Call me Ben Stiller”
Vince Staples wants to be in ‘Severance’: “Call me Ben Stiller”
Backstreet Boys add more dates to Las Vegas Sphere residency
Backstreet Boys add more dates to Las Vegas Sphere residency
Jack Nicholson makes rare public appearance for ‘SNL50’ special
Jack Nicholson makes rare public appearance for ‘SNL50’ special
Kid Rock “respects” Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show but thinks it’s “the epitome of DEI blowing up”
Kid Rock “respects” Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show but thinks it’s “the epitome of DEI blowing up”
A look at Paul Nicholls’ potential runners for the 2025 Grand National
A look at Paul Nicholls’ potential runners for the 2025 Grand National
Ravens’ Tucker faces misconduct allegations from 7 more massage therapists
Ravens’ Tucker faces misconduct allegations from 7 more massage therapists
Three outsiders to consider for the Champion Chase
Three outsiders to consider for the Champion Chase
Herro edges Hield, Garland to capture Three-Point Contest
Herro edges Hield, Garland to capture Three-Point Contest
Why Did We Never Get ‘Miss Congeniality 3’?
Why Did We Never Get ‘Miss Congeniality 3’?
Brave New World’ Finally Did What I’ve Waited So Long For
Brave New World’ Finally Did What I’ve Waited So Long For
High Potential Season 2 Needs to Push the Daphne/Oz Agenda
High Potential Season 2 Needs to Push the Daphne/Oz Agenda
25 Great Shows on Crave to Watch Right Now
25 Great Shows on Crave to Watch Right Now
Ting-en Tsai: A Self-Taught Illustrator Redefining Visual Storytelling
Ting-en Tsai: A Self-Taught Illustrator Redefining Visual Storytelling
Top Looks From Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Show!
Top Looks From Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary Show!
Top Looks From The 2025 BAFTA’s Red Carpet!
Top Looks From The 2025 BAFTA’s Red Carpet!
Sunflower Avenue: Isabelle Clarke’s Mission to Redefine Self-Care Through Fashion
Sunflower Avenue: Isabelle Clarke’s Mission to Redefine Self-Care Through Fashion