Character 173 – Mousie (Mi Vida Loca)
This is Mousie played by the incredible and accomplished actor Seidy Lopez. You might have seen her in Selena, Training Day, or the newest Netflix Selena series. What I appreciate so much about Mousie in the film was her fierceness, the one liners like “please”, and how skilled she is at her craft as an actor. She played phases of Mousie’s life so well she became that character. I hope she directs a film some day! This is the second in a series of characters from the 1993 film “Mi Vida Loca”. Check out Whisper here.
On the film: The year was 1993 and writer/director Allison Anders film had just released. I was staying with my Dad in Hayward Ca (Bay Area) and we went to the movies to see it. Being that there were so few portrayals of young Latin@ people, families, or communities I was super juiced to see the film! It reminded me of Chicanos in Berkeley at the time. I remember loving it and arguing with my Dad who is from LA and did not love it. He argued that it was a stereotypical gang life portrayal of Chicanos in Echo Park. But, I felt it was a loving portrait that showed pain, love, sorrow, relationships, and triumph. 30 years later I belive the film still stands up and the messages about sisterhood, female empowerment, the dangers of tribal warfare (gangs), machismo, and even class still ring true. Have you seen it? Comment below w/ your favorite line?
About me: My name is Robert Liu-Trujillo. I’m a mixed kid-Black, Korean, Mexican, and Apache. And I’m an author/artist from the Bay Area. My most recent book is “Fresh Juice/ Jugo Fresco”. Nice to meet you.
Dig this? Check out my throwback drawings of three characters from the 80s film “Stand and Deliver”. Peace.
