mi vida loca Tag

Characters from Mi Vida Loca (1993)

Hey, these are three characters from the 90s film Mi Vida Loca directed by Allison Anders. The three characters depicted here are Whisper, Mousie, and Sad Girl. I thought about drawing Ernesto too, but really wanted to honor the themes of female empowerment and friendship from the film. Whats your favorite line from the film?

Couldn’t find the original trailer, but this was a short behind the scenes.

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? Check out the individual characters below for more info.

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.

Character 172 – Whisper

Character 173 – Mousie

Character 174 – Sad Girl

Dig this? Check out my throwback drawings of three characters from the 80s film “Stand and Deliver”

Character 174 – Sad Girl (Mi Vida Loca)

This is “Sad Girl” played by actor Angel Aviles. From the relationship with her sister, Ernesto, her friendship and rivalry with Mousie, and her place as a Loca; Sad girl carries the film. I love when she’s shy, tough, and a friend, and mama she portrays as Sad Girl. One of my favorite scenes is when she invites Mousie to go to McDonalds, when she tells the guys in River valley their drinks taste like shit, or when she is calm even when Mousie is getting on her nerves. Angel Aviles is an accomplished actor who has been in several films and tv shows. She’s a mom, and an author who has made it her mission to help young women as a life coach!

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”

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.

Character 172 – Whisper (Mi Vida Loca)

This is Whisper from Mi Vida Loca. I loved her voice and just how natural she portrayed this character as an actor. I was just a teenager and I loved Whisper’s character as a strong mujer, business women, and friend. In the film she is portrayed by actor Nélida López.

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.