'Ladrón que roba a ladrón' Star Oscar Torre Talks Hollywood and His Directorial Debut with 'Pretty Rosebud' [WATCH]
SEE RELATED ARTICLE: "Hollywood and Latinos, Past and Present: Cubano Actor Oscar Torre Talks the Hollywood Hustle [VIDEO]"
Oscar Torre has played everything from a police officer to a bartender; and, when asked to discuss his favorite role, he confessed that whichever character he's portraying at the moment, happens to be his favorite role at the time.
"It changes, but I've been very blessed. Libertad was my first lead role -and it was about a man in a political prison in Cuba. The film was very close to my heart. My grandfather was a political prisoner in Cuba, so a lot of things I did in that film, he actually lived. That was very personal to me. It was very good acting ... and, it was the film that gave me confidence, letting me know that this is something that I could really do."
Ladrón que Roba a Ladrón (To Rob a Thief, 2007) directed by Joe Menendez, made by Panamax Films and Narrow Bridge Films, and distributed Lionsgate was a film experience that he spoke of fondly. The "nervous actor character," was the role that Torres most identified with, and it's a film that the Latino community loves, greatly due to his contribution.
"It's the film that people most recognize me for. When people see me in the street, they remember me because I was a comedic character in the film. And, it was the first time that I played a comedic character in film. I played a comedic character on stage, but never on film," said Torre, who most recently appeared as Officer Vasquez in The Hangover Part III. "I played a very nervous actor and a conman involved in a heist. So, that's up there for me [as one of my favorites].
"My role in Cane opened a lot of doors. It allowed a lot of people to see my work. It was a complex character, who, depending on where you were standing, could be either good or bad. He was loyal to Alex Vega, who was Jimmy Smit's character. [My character] was a funny guy, but at the same time ... he'd kill you. That was a great role, because he was very unpredictable," Torre said, expressing that he enjoyed taking on roles that were a contrast to his own personality.
Taken with the film industry and all it's offered him, Torre opted to experience the other side of it by becoming a director. His directorial debut, a film called Pretty Rosebud, which Torre's wife Chuti Tiu wrote and stars in, is his latest project.
"Pretty Rosebud is about a career driven woman who's trapped in a loveless marriage. She's a career woman who's born to immigrant parents. The character is Filipino and Chinese. And, she breaks societal taboos in her struggle to find her true path in life," Torre said about the film which has already won Best Screenplay, Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Actress and Best Director awards from the Idyllwild Intl Festival of Cinema: 2014.
Torre looks forward to proceeding with different audiences, and has kept in mind that even The Godfather and cinematic masterpieces have had opposition; some protesting that certain films were too violent, too loud, or offensive in some way. The Cubano actor expects that some may not like the film, while others will love it, like any film; but promises that the film is moving. He clarified that the worst thing is indifference.
"If people hate the film, or if they love the film, then that's fine. But, if audiences are like, 'Meh,' then you're in trouble... strong feelings one way or another are better than indifference," Torre stated.
The freshman director said that he loves acting and directing equally, and would love to balance both professions equally. As a director, he enjoys directing his own vision, even with the responsibility that the tasks demands; and he enjoys the freedom that it permits. He admitted that he'd love to direct one film a year.
"Directing a film takes a whole year. Between pre and post, that's at least a year. I would love to direct, and then be able to perform on TV and film. My first passion is film. Directing is great though, because you have you hand on everything. You have your hand on directing, you have your hand on editing, and you have your hands on what color you want the walls to be. As an actor, you have very little control. You come, do your role, and you go home, but I love the preparation for acting. Every role I play is a whole new different world. It's a whole different family, a different experience. It's an entirely different way of looking at the world," Torre stated, also saying that he's enjoy the journey of acting and directing; directing giving him more context about things that he's asked to do as a performer.
The talented actor also mentioned how the internet and live streaming has sparked more opportunities for Latinos. He cited Orange Is the New Black, House of Cards, and East Los High for having complex Latino characters that were previously unknown to the screen, and marveled at the new access that viewers have to those series and characters.
"It's a very exciting for films," Torres stated simply.
Torre plans to give an hour-long talk at the Reel Speak event in Toronto, where the film will be premiered. The film will be introducing the film to other artists, directors and a general audience.
Next on Torre's roster is the Redbox-release of the crime drama Eenie Meenie Miney Moe on April 15, and will be made available later in the year.
Pretty Rosebud will have special screenings in theaters via Tug Screenings in Milwaukee (April 15), Salt Lake City (April 17), Miami (April 24), Los Angeles (April 30), and Chicago (May 5), and those tickets can be accessed by clicking here.
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