Latina superstar and multi-platinum recording artist Thalía Sodi, Emmy winner Matthew O’Neill, and Executive producer and former chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment, Tommy Mottola, are celebrating Latino culture in a new documentary film.
Debuting on Tuesday, December 19 (7:00-7:30 p.m. ET/PT), followed by a new film at the same time on successive nights – December 20, 21 and 22 – simultaneously on HBO and HBO Latino, "15: A Quinceañera Story" follow the stories of five Latinas from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in the traditional rite of passage of the quinceañera, a celebration of their 15th birthdays.
Zoey Luna, a young Mexican-American that even though she was born male, identifies as female, celebrates the traditional fiesta with a special significance for her trans madrinas. Rosi Alvarez, an American growing up in Florida with a mother from Guatemala and a father from Cuba, combines all three of her cultures for a quinceañera party in Havana, the place she chooses to celebrate because her charismatic grandfather can't get a visa to the U.S.
Ashley Lopez is an amateur East L.A. boxer whose mother is a “Dreamer” and whose father has been deported; and Jackie Ayala and Nina Ozuna, two best friends from San Antonio, celebrate their Mexican American heritage by mixing their traditional Mexican horse-dancing display.
"As a Latina, I’m proud to share our culture and shine a spotlight on these dynamic, talented and beautiful young women featured in these four films," Thalia said. "So many emotions and so much happiness all around! Proud of how it turned out and proud of all of the beautiful quinceañeras and their families who came to celebrate with all of us!" she wrote on Instagram.
“These young women are fierce and determined and represent the rising generation of American Latinas who are helping define the future of our country,” said Tommy Mottola.
“The featured young women are examples of the breadth and diversity of the Latina experience in America,” commented O’Neill. “We’re proud to celebrate them and their communities as they contend with the complicated realities of growing up in America today.”
Each story will make you cry, laugh, dance and for sure, appreciate Latino traditions with all your heart. "15: A Quinceañera Story" opens your eyes in many ways, but the most important is how it teaches you to be more respectful and inclusive.
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