Doris Anahi Muñoz, a middle school student with big dreams in San Bernardino, California, made her bedroom wall her canvas. She painted her own hand on the back of the door.
As the main subject of Disney’s original documentary Mija, artist-manager-turned-musician Munoz aims to do just that with her story. Still, some feel alone or guilty about their desires when her family faces urgent daily struggles.
The film’s director, Isabel Castro, sees Muñoz working to jumpstart the careers of Latino musicians such as Cuco and Jax Haupt while helping Mexican families access the green card system. I’m chasing
“Many of us carry the burden of family on our backs. I needed a movie like this to grow up,” Muñoz said in a recent video interview from Boyle Heights, California. room. “So I’m happy that being in this seat as the main character allows other people to see themselves.”
The only U.S.-born of three children to parents, Munoz grew up playing the saxophone and violin in an evangelical home that hoped to use her talents to become a worship leader. . In the summer of his sophomore year, Ed Sheeran nodded, invited her to the stage She rekindled her passion for music when they sang together his hit single “Lego House” at a radio event.
She wrote songs and performed live for a while, but she didn’t like being in the spotlight and wanted to work behind the scenes.Her own first major project was managing Wolfberrya bedroom pop artist who broke through by staying true to his Mexican-American heritage and making music for Latino kids who felt unseen.
The film follows Muñoz conducting his early work with Cuco, a sold-out concert, and helping him land a seven-figure record deal. This success helped her parents provide the funds to apply for permanent residency in the United States.
A pandemic strikes and (spoiler alert!) Muñoz has to deal with the pressure of breaking up with Cuco. Jack HauptLike many young artists, the indie singer-songwriter from Dallas is struggling to find a wider audience.
Haupt, 22, grew up listening to Joe Bataan’s “Mujer Mía” and other Latin soul classics in his Chicano home, and also found inspiration in Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. Since then, Haupt’s bilingual music has veered toward a more electronic trip-hop sound, often singing about heartbreak and mental health.
Haupt calls music her diary, which has been her support system over the years. However, when she first started her music career, she said she lacked family support. ‘No,'” Haupt said in a video interview from Dallas.
Building a career in the arts can take money and time. These resources are in short supply for immigrant families facing challenges such as tracing the path to citizenship and finding financial footing. The film chronicles Muñoz’s close bond with his family. Whether it’s expressing gratitude during a Thanksgiving meal, visiting a deported brother in Tijuana, Mexico, or the ongoing battle over his parents’ green cards.
“For those who are feeling lonely in the process, I want this film to hold them,” Munoz said. I had big dreams of what I wanted to do.”
Castro’s accomplishments as director of “Mija” include the documentary short “USA v Scott” about an American geographer facing prison for helping immigrants in Arizona, and his role in reuniting with his mother in Honduras. Includes the New York Times op-ed “Darlin” about the battle. Her son after being separated by the US border detention policy. Castro, as an indie music lover, was drawn to Muñoz and Haupt’s story, he said, recognizing that there is no representative of Latino artists in that world.
“I was really intrigued by how Doris, Cuco and the whole community were trying to find their place in this very musical space that I grew up listening to,” said Castro.
The film transitions from Haupt’s dreamy onstage performances and recording sessions in Los Angeles to an impassioned phone conversation with his mother about what is traditionally seen as a lucrative job. To do. Castro said the conversation reminded him of a conversation he had with his mother at a moment when he felt guilty for not meeting his expectations.
“My ambitions and career are rooted in a sense of responsibility for the sacrifices my parents made for me.
“I hope that people, especially Latinx and people of color viewers, will feel hopeful and walk away from the film,” Castro added. With effort and tenacity. “
After filming “Mija”, Muñoz closed his management company and began releasing his own music under his own artist name. Doris AnahiLast week, she, like Haupt, appeared at the film’s premiere in Central Park. (The film opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on her August 5th, and she’s coming to Disney+ on September 16th.)
“Our parents are the survivor generation,” Muñoz said.
