On Jan. 9, Warner Bros will release Paul Thomas Anderson's new film "Inherent Vice." The movie has been in limited release for over a month and has been gaining a lot of awards momentum.

The feature has a huge cast that include Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Josh Brolin, Eric Roberts, Owen Wilson and Benicio del Toro, among others.

Latin Post was able to interview Yvette Yates, who plays the crucial role of Luz in the film. The actress has been featured in a number of films, including "I Hope they Serve Beer in Hell," "Without Men" and "Nina Quebrada."

Growing up in El Paso, Texas, Yates studied science during her college years, but then opted for taking on a career as an actress. While this might seem like the most extreme of changes, Yates actually has entertainment industry roots in her own family. Her father, Carlos A. Yates, was once the President of Azteca Films in Mexico. 

Yates spoke about her experience on set with director Anderson and her co-star Phoenix as well as her upcoming movie "Bloodsucking Bastards."

Latin Post: What was your experience of working with Paul Thomas Anderson?

Yvette Yates: It was magical. It just felt like we were all these threads moving in different directions and kind of woven into this tapestry of Paul Thomas Anderson's vision infused with Thomas Pynchon's world. It was a dream. I felt so fortunate and grateful to have worked on such an amazing set.

LP: How did you first get involved with the project?

YY: It was an audition. It was a cold read so no sides, no script, no anything. All I had was "Inherent Vice" and the character description. So I just researched it, read the synopsis, and looked up what a Chicana in that time would be going through; the music, the lifestyle, the hair, politics and my family background. I just kind of infused those different layers into what I thought Luz would be going through and her history. When I went into the room and I auditioned, it was just such an amazing experience.

LP: Did you read Thomas Pynchon's novel when you got the role?

YY: Yes. Once I got the role, I had to order it. It came in a few days, I got it and I delved into it. When I was reading I thought to myself, "Oh, my God, there is so much going on, there are so many characters and so many layers." So when you see the film and if you've read the book, you see it's a tremendous adaptation and it stays true to the spirit and to the world he created. But there are a lot of characters that got cut out. If they would have kept them, it would have been such a really long film. But it's still beautiful.

LP: Tell me a little bit about working with Joaquin Phoenix, since you have this really funny scene. Tell me a little about his process and what you learned from him.

YY: I felt like there was such ease on set and there was never this feeling of nervousness. It was just like, we were all professionals, there to give it our best. I think the beauty of working with someone like Paul Thomas Anderson and Joaquin Phoenix is that they are such pros. You feel that because they welcome you. You try a scene in so many ways. It's like "Okay, you did it this way, let's try it 30 other different ways." And see which one feels the best. Sometimes in that discovery, you figure out what works.

LP: Because you have such a small role, like everyone else in this film, what is the biggest challenge and how do you create that character?

YY: For me, I did a lot of research like for the audition. I looked at things that would affect her like family, music, and politics. But then you have to infuse that into your persona. When you're there it has to feel seamless. You want the story to continue and not make it about your character. It's about being a part of it and making it flow. That's kind of the challenge of making it work like that. I think Paul does such a tremendous job of making it work. He does it with his other films as well, with these big ensemble films.  

LP: What was your reaction to the film when you saw it for the first time?

YY: Well once I saw it, I was thrilled. The music and the cinematography by Robert Elswit are incredible. You just feel like you're in that time period, but it wasn't forced. You feel like you're part of the moments. I tell people, that after the first and second time you see these little details you didn't notice as much before. It all comes together and it's really cool.

LP: After "Inherent Vice," what do you have lined up?

YY: I have a film called "Bloodsucking Bastards." It's a comedy ensemble like a mix of "Office Space" with "Shaun of the Dead." It's having its world premiere and opening the Slamdance Film Festival. It's very exciting and this is the first time I have a film there. It's a fun cast with Pedro Pascal, Fran Kranz and it's just a fun and enjoyable film. It's an indie audience and I love that, too.