SXSW 2015 Dates, Music, Schedule & Lineup: Festival to Highlight 'Mexican Madonna' Gloria Trevi & Scandalous Biopic 'GLORIA' During SXAméricas Program
South by Southwest just got juicier for the SXAméricas Program.
Dubbed the "Mexican Madonna," Gloria Trevi, an acclaimed performer, songwriter and multimillion-selling recording artist, is coming to SXSW for an in-depth interview and the premiere of a new film based on her life, "GLORIA."
Trevi, "who revolutionized and scandalized the contemporary Latin music business at the age of 23," will participate in an onstage interview during the SXAméricas program on Tuesday, March 17 at 5:00 p.m., and will also make an appearance on the red carpet later in the evening the U.S. Premiere of Picturehouse's "GLORIA."
"[Gloria's] cathartic singing, which has the passion of Latin balladry fired by rock 'n' roll anarchy, is more evocative of Janis Joplin's full-steam attack," according to the Los Angeles Times.
"GLORIA" is directed by Swiss newcomer Christian Keller and stars Sofía Espinosa and Marco Pérez.
The film delves into the more scandalous details of Trevi's relationship with music producer, composer and lover Sergio Andrade.
The Monterrey, Mexico native was talented in music and the arts at a young age and after her parents divorced, she left home at age 12, against her mother's wishes, according to her biography.
"In 1980 Trevi went alone to Mexico City, with no money, to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. She earned money in any way she could, including singing and dancing in the street, teaching aerobics and working at a taco stand.
"In 1984, the 16-year-old Trevi met Sergio Andrade, 28, who became her mentor. In 1985, she briefly joined a girl band called Boquitas Pintadas (Little Mouths with Lipstick)."
She was heavily influenced by British and American rock, as well as by Latin music.
She then became a solo artist with Andrade as her manager and released her debut album "Que Hago Aqui?" ("What Am I Doing Here?") (1989), which was "an instant chart success."
In addition to huge tours around the Caribbean and South America during her early years, Trevi released five albums in the early 1990s and starred in three Mexican box-office hit films.
"Her music was provocative and political, with lyrics dripping in sexual innuendo, but her aim was always to expose hypocrites," Biography.com adds.
A magnet for controversy, Trevi was not shy about tackling issues such as religion, prostitution, drug trafficking, hunger, the upper class, and war deaths. One of her hallmarks were her sensual yet socially liberated performances onstage, turning the concept of Mexican machismo its head by bringing up men on stage and stripping them down to their underwear.
She transitioned her talents into public speaking, "covering subjects such as AIDS, abortion, drugs, sex, prostitution, and panhandling. She graced the covers of numerous magazines, was featured in TV specials, and inspired Trevi comic books."
Check out the official trailer for "GLORIA."
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