My talented filmmaker friend Myra Sito Velasquez and I share a smile at the very mention of her film Kung Fu Granny. Myra is such a beautiful soul. Her filmmaking is phenomenal. We’re good friends but she probably doesn’t realize how much I’m in awe of her intrinsically layered storytelling technique that brings the phrase “How did she come up with that?” to mind. Every. Single. Time.
What’s so cool about Kung Fu Granny is that soon after I was introduced to Myra, I saw a film I’d never forget—a serious, reflective and gorgeous short film, Mother’s Blood. I thought about how the poignant, powerful and deep stories from her culture were reminiscent of many of the heartfelt and heart wrenching stories from my culture. Some may watch her early work and feel it would be too much of a stretch for a filmmaker behind the lens of Mother’s Blood and the haunting drama The Lovers to just let their hair down and have some fun. Not to worry! Myra’s film Kung Fu Granny is so fun to watch, that the filmmaker herself can’t help but smile from ear to ear.
I was so thrilled that she was immersed in filming such a concept that I had to be in it! I kid, but actually through a crazy series of circumstances I ended up acting in the film—along with my parents! It was most fun for my father. To him being on Myra’s movie set was one of life’s adventures. And you’ll see on screen he took the role very seriously. We all did. We all wanted to be there for our imaginative director. And when you watch Myra’s incredible cast and their stunt work, you’ll get to know how Myra works. There’s an idea she cannot escape. She thinks about it. She swirls it around in her head over and over….she maps it out. She rips it up and starts over. She sells you on it. When you’re on the receiving end of that passion and commitment, you can’t wait to come to set and play. And for a creative project, that’s gold.
Thank you, Myra, for bringing a smile to my family and a great memory with my late Dad. Because of this experience we have him on film! Because of Kung Fu Granny, the world knows you’re a versatile badass filmmaker and an out-of-the-box screenwriter with whom audiences say, “We can’t wait for more!’ I’m still in awe.
Watch Kung Fu Granny and more incredible work from my talented colleagues in our inaugural Indie Fuxion Film Showcase Nov 15 - Dec 15 on GFNTV! Please click here to RSVP. It’s FREE! Happy Streaming!
