In true Disney style, Isabel Castro’s newest film ‘Mija’ reminds you that all dreams can be made possible with a little bit of paciencia y fe.
Press gathered into the Walter Reade Theater in Lincoln Center on Tuesday night for the screening of ‘Mija’ – a remarkable tale that highlights hope in the face of immigration.
‘Mija’ serves as Emmy-nominated director Isabel Castro’s feature documentary film, and showcases its lead starlets, music manager Doris Muñoz, and singer Jacks Haupt.
The convergence of music and the process of immigration within Mexico is a beautiful blend perfectly captured by Castro’s storytelling.
Speaking on the combination of the two elements, Castro touches on the topic.
“I realized that I have a love for music,” Castro says before continuing, “I felt like there could be kind of an intersection between music and immigration in that story.”
This intersection could be seen clearly from the start of the film as the audience immediately becomes immersed in the colorful world that encompasses Muñoz’s life.
Viewers first come across Doris as she is shopping along the aisles of a Dulceria store in San Bernardino, Ca., – this happens to also be the same city her parents immigrated to from Mexico just a few years prior.
Doris is seen shopping for a birthday party, which turns out to be her own. Doris faces the camera and candidly proclaims “I’m a birthday queen”, before tucking items into her cart.
This would not be the first time we witness Doris managing multiple things at once and taking care of things on her own, at one point in the film she even speaks of it as a personal responsibility – one that can certainly come at a cost.
At just 26 years old, Muñoz is managing mega Mexican American pop star Cuco, on the third leg of his tour all while funding her parents’ application for permanent citizen status.
“Dreaming big takes a toll,” Muñoz says as the film shows both the ups and downs of artist management and the trials that come with immigration and obtaining green cards.
Reflecting on why she decided to say ‘yes’ to ‘Mija’ after the screening, Muñoz says she “removed [herself] from the equation at the end of the day.”
Looking out toward the audience, Muñoz continued on to say, “it doesn’t matter if [this film is] meaningful to me, the reason why I agreed to this project is that I thought it might be important to millions of folks who are kids if immigrants who even are on their creative path as well too – this is for families and families like my own.”
Also on her creative path is rising star Jacks Haupt, who at the time of filming at the age of 20 was just scratching the surface of her career as a singer.
Scouted by Muñoz in a stroke of luck, the two go on to become a dynamic duo while helping each other achieve their biggest dreams.
“I wanted to put myself out there,” Dallas, Texas native Haput says of her venture into the music business.
Speaking of her upbringing, Haupt mentions it didn’t include the typical sitcoms and children’s shows that openly discussed immigration.
“We didn’t grow up watching Disney channel or nickelodeon with this same story,” Haupt says about ‘Mija’. “So it’s really awesome to see a story like [‘Mija’], It’s really heartbreaking, an adrenaline rush, it’s hard; especially this topic. No one really talks about growing up in a P.O.C (person of color) household.
With a smile, Haupt continues, “I want people to know I was scratching through dirt to get to where I want to be.”
You can watch ‘Mija’ today at the IFC Center and stream on Disney+ Friday, September 16th!
