Oscar Torre – Ladrones

By: Lisa Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) Right now you can see Pretty Rosebud, which is a film I directed and it just came out on DVD. I’m also in the film. My wife wrote and stars in it as well. There is also the movie The Boatman that is doing the film festival circuit at the moment.

Q) Please tell us the premise for your film Ladrones and about your character.

A) It takes place in Texas. There was a treaty done in the 1800’s that stated the Mexicans (it was controlled at the time by Mexico) who were living there that if they had the deeds to the land they could keep the land. This story is about a millionaire woman who steals the properties from the people. They contact the “Robin Hoods” to help them steal it back because they are going to lose their homes. It is about how we go about stealing these properties back from this woman who has incredible security. It’s an action comedy film. My character, Miguelito, (and this is the second film) is an out of work actor who is recruited to be a part of this team of thieves because they need someone who can act. In the first film, I had to go undercover as an air conditioning mechanic and as a union organizer. That creates all kinds of funny moments. This film takes place seven years later and once again they needed an actor. I am performing at a kid’s birthday party at the time and I’m more broke than I was in the first film. So, I say, ‘yes.’ They tell me I need to be able to pass myself off as a Texas Ranger, which I think they mean is a baseball player and he gets very excited because he always wanted to be a baseball player. They meant a police officer from Texas. My character is a Cuban who hasn’t been in America that long so his English is not that great. So, to pass himself as an elite Texas Ranger and do a Southern accent when my English isn’t that great and be convincing creates some funny moments.

Q) What was the most challenging part of your role?

A) I had to come up with something realistic because the audience has to believe what I am doing to a certain extent. At the same time, it is comedic. So, you have to keep that in mind that it has to be funny, but somewhat believable. If the audience doesn’t believe what I am doing then the joke is over and they won’t buy anything else in the film. It’s kind of a key in a way for me to find that balance of being real and at the same time as funny and the action being real enough, but being strange enough for it to be funny. I think finding that balance was probably the most challenging apart and playing it 100% real. Comedy is high stakes. The higher the stakes you create for yourself the funnier the situation is without playing the comedy. If you are playing the comedy then it isn’t funny. You’re kind of silly in a way. When I was playing it it was as real as any drama as I’ve ever done.

Q) What was it like working with director Joe Menendez?

A) This is the third time we have worked together. I first worked with him years ago on a film called Hunting of Men where I played a crazy character. I was an ex-con missing his tongue, but that was a drama. Then, I worked with him on the first Ladarones film. He also directed me for the pilot presentation that we did. Having worked with him, there is now a shorthand and a trust, which is great. Especially playing a role like Miguielito, who can be over the top and is a funny role, but still serious helps. He is an excellent director and someone I trust 100% to have my back to be able to direct me. As an actor, it is great to work with someone you trust because then you take chances. The more chances you take the more you need to trust the director.

Q) Was there instant chemistry when the cast began working together?

A) It came pretty quick! Jon [Molerio] wrote the film and also acts in the film. We have worked together before so that is another thing that came in handy. Since he was the writer, he was open to ideas and that was great because I knew my role well. It was a great collaboration and he is great with comedy. We have a couple scenes together as well. Fernando [Colunga] and I had done the first film together so we are now friends and in the story we are friends. We have a history now so it was easy to carry that onto the second film. The other actor, Eduardo [Yanez], I knew his work, but not him personally. It was great to work with him as well. He was a very funny guy and a lot of people don’t know that because he has done a lot of drama and Spanish soaps. The whole cast was topnotch and an international cast as well.

Q) What  were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) I think the whole film I’m excited for people to check out. You do these films and you are proud of them and you can’t say that about every film you do. This one, I happen to be proud of the film. The film is Spanish and it has a lot of English as well. That is kind of a new take because we are reaching out to an audience who is not sure because it is for Spanish speakers who English is their first language because they are second or third generation. I’m excited to see how that works out. I have a feeling it will work out well. It is important because it will create other opportunities for people who are Spanish speakers. I was born in the US, but my parents are Spanish. So, I have both cultures. I think that it is important to cater to that audience who is underserved. Plus, I ride a donkey in the film! It’s not the easy to ride, I’ve found.

Q) What did you hope viewers take away from watching Ladrones?

A) I hope they come out and support the film. It decides if we make more films. I really hope they come out, have a good time, laugh and enjoy the film. This is  a film for the whole family to watch, have a good time and enjoy themselves. Maybe they will take a little bit of history with them. It’s a fun film for the whole family and I hope they really enjoy it and my character as well.