8A Entertainment Announces HBO Latino to Premiere Short Film on Americanization, 'My Name Is Maria De Jesus'

Press Release • updated: Jul 1, 2019

LOS ANGELES, July 1, 2019 (Newswire.com) - 8A Entertainment, the production company behind a short film on the Americanization of Mexican Americans in Texas, MY NAME IS MARIA DE JESUS, announces that HBO Latino will premiere the film on July 1, 2019.

It is the directorial debut of up-and-coming director Marcella Ochoa (Discarnate) who also wrote, produced, and stars in the film. The film was produced by her production company 8A Entertainment, and features talented newcomers Ximena Pelaez-Munoz and Jasmine Linares. The film also stars David Saucedo (Mayans, American Crime story), Geovanni Gopradi (The Haves and the Have Nots, Dynasty, Mall Cop 2), Jenna Purdy (Independence Day: Resurgence), and Susan Silvestri.

Ochoa wrote the short based on the true story of her family growing up in Texas. The film starts off in 1950’s San Antonio, where Mexican American children were forced to abandon their Spanish language and culture. 30 years later, one mother realizes the impact that Americanization has on her child who is struggling to connect with her Latin heritage.

“My main goal in doing this short was to start discussions of the injustice thousands of Mexican American children endured in this country. I also wanted to explain why so many second and third generation Latinos don’t speak Spanish and are ashamed of their heritage because of what their parents went through,” says Ochoa. “As a filmmaker, and a woman of color, I feel more stories like this need to be told and I’m thrilled HBO Latino believes in this project and understands the importance of educating people on what happened in our country.”

Ochoa is dedicated to creating content for diverse audiences as well as more opportunities for Latinx artists in front of and behind the camera.

The film was produced by Ochoa, Victor Solis (The Dangle), and executive produced by Mario Miscione (Dark/Web, Circle), and Mary and Sal Ochoa.

Release date on HBO:

Television: HBO Latino Monday, July 1 @4:55 p.m. PST

On Demand: Tuesday, July 2

Streaming: Monday, July 1 on HBO GO and HBO NOW

For more information about MY NAME IS MARIA DE JESUS, contact 8A Entertainment at 8aentertainmentinfo@gmail.com

Source: 8A Entertainment