'Un Gallos Con Muchos Huevos' Stars Angelica Vale, Bruno Bichir Reflect on Roles in First Spanish Animated Film in US
On Sept. 4, Pantelion will release the first Spanish-language animated film in the U.S. The animated film "Un Gallo con Muchos Huevos," which was a huge hit in Mexico tells the story of Toto, a rooster who must save his home when an evil rancher threatens to destroy it.
The film is the third in a series of movies that follow Toto's adventure. However, this is the first time that series is released internationally. Latin Post had a chance to speak to Bruno Bichir, who plays Toto, and Angelica Vale, who plays Bibi, about their experience making the film and the challenges of being in an animated film.
Latin Post: How do you guys feel about the film being the first Spanish Language animated film?
Angelica Vale: It's marvelous and an honor. It's a dream and it's so exciting. It is going to be in 400 theaters and that is thrilling.
Bruno Bichir: It's a dream that we're living and that has to be for the future. This is such a success story not for us but for the Latino community. We want to be a part of a movement of Latinos who are successful in this country. We are following in the footsteps of others who have made it big but not in animation.
LP: Do you think this could open doors for foreign language films especially here in the U.S.?
AV: I hope so. I hope this is the start to something.
BB: Fortunately this has been something coming since the movie "Como agua para chocolate." That movie broke box office records in this country. It was a great response and it has not stopped since then with, for example, "Amores Perros" and now Eugenio Derbez with "Instructions Not Included." What a beautiful situation to be in. It's so great to have work that shows the Latino talent and shuts aggressive voices against Latinos up. This shows that it's worth living in this country.
LP: What is the difference of working in animation vs. a live action film?
AV: In live action you're using your whole body as an instrument to help express everything that the character's needs. In this film all you need is the voice and for me it's a challenge and I love to do it. You have to trust the director. Sometimes you won't like what you're doing. Sometimes you feel like it's too exaggerated or just not good. When you're trying to imagine the movie in your head as you record, it's so difficult.
BB: I have to agree with everything Angelica says.
LP: What were the hardest scenes to do in the studio?
AV: The kissing scenes. [Laughs]
BB: Those are always hard to do. Those and the sex scenes.
AV: But for real, in the film I'm an acrobat egg so when they tell me I have to jump and I'm like, "okay." They then tell me to "make noises as if you're jumping." And I'm like, "how do I do it." I have to think of what kind of noise I would make if I am flying in the air.
BB: That is hilarious. At one point all of us had to do some type of onomatopoeia and it's so weird when you do it out of nothing. You have to imagine it as if you're doing the action. But when you are actually doing the action it comes out so natural and you don't think about the sounds you are creating. My biggest challenge was the screaming. We left it for the end and I said if I lose my voice at least it's the end. I almost lost my voice and many other things as we recorded that. I think we all had challenges on the film but there was so much joy and harmony in filming it. The Riva Palacio brothers work so well. Not only with their drawing and cinematographer but with the script and they have a gift for treating actors with love and intelligence. They really guide you. It doesn't matter how many hours you are in the studio because it's so much fun.
LP: What do you hope the audience takes away from the film?
AV: I hope they all smile and are able to do so as a family. It is a movie for the whole family and while some of the language is inappropriate, it is not aggressive. I took my three old daughter to the movie and she enjoyed it. So I think it is about having a nice moment with the family.
BB: I think that laughter and happiness are the main idea for this movie. The adults are having fun and it is one of those rare films in that it is for both audiences. It also has a stellar cast that is great.
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