‘Ruta Madre’ Tells Story Of San Diegan In Search Of His Roots

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Credit: Courtesy Photo

Above: An undated photo from the film, "Ruta Madre" starring from left, David Castro, William Miller and Carmen Salinas. The film is screening at the 24th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival on March 16.

Aired 3/16/17 on KPBS Midday Edition

"Ruta Madre" Tells Story Of San Diegan In Search Of His Roots

GUESTS:

Joey Molina, writer, "Ruta Madre"

Agustin Castañeda, director, "Ruta Madre"

Transcript for audioclip 34061

The 24th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival kicks off Thursday and one of the films screening on opening night is the comedy, "Ruta Madre."

The film is a coming-of-age story based on the life of San Diego singer and actor Joey Molina.

“This film isn’t just my story, it’s our story, it’s everybody’s story. It’s about love and family and it transcends borders," Molina said. “It’s anchored in so much truth, but we wanted to embellish things and introduce magic realism and wanted to throw lots of humor in it and create bigger-than-life characters."

"Ruta Madre" follows a young musician who goes on a road trip to Mexico with his uncle to reconnect with his roots.

Mexican actresses Carmen Salinas and Angelica Maria star in the film along with Paulina Gaitan from the Netflix series, "Narcos" and comedian Paul Rodriguez.

The festival features more than 170 films from two dozen countries.

Molina, who wrote the screenplay for "Ruta Madre," and the film's director Agustin Castañeda talk about filmmaking and what it means to present the film at the San Diego Latino Film Festival Thursday on Midday Edition.