Raymond Cruz – The Curse of La Llorona

By starrymag | May 13, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

A) The most recent projects I have been working on are mostly pieces that I have written myself. I have written a television series that we are currently pitching and a movie that I am finishing up.

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film The Curse of La Llorona.

A) La Llorona is the tale of a mother who has committed the most heinous act imaginable, the murder of her own children. When she realizes what she has done her grief consumes her and she takes her own life. Cursed, she is forced to forever walk the earth in search of the souls of other children to replace those that she took. La Llorona attaches herself to Anna’s (Linda Cardellini) family and torments she and her children. In desperation she seeks help from the Church, but it is to no avail. After the church can do nothing to help her, Anna turns to Rafael Olvera (“El Curandero”) whom I play. Rafael is a former priest who uses the practices of his own form of shamanism, a blend of Christianity, mysticism and the teachings of the Huichol Indians of Mexico to combat the dark forces that walk this earth.

Q) What made you want to be a part of the movie?

A) I was excited by the opportunity to help tell a horror tale from my own culture. La Llorona is such a big part of Latin culture. We grow up with her as a giant shadow cast over our childhoods. She is an epic terror that everyone, Latin, knows of. So, to be involved in a major studio release of a big screen version of her tale is both an honor and a privilege. I grew up loving horror films Jaws, Frankenstein and Near Dark being some of my favorites! I’ve done a lot of drama and action, but I always wanted to work more in the genre of horror. So, to star in a horror movie and it to be about a major subject of Mexican folklore was a thrilling prospect. Horror and Latin? A fantastic combination!!! I also love that it is a tale that not too many people are aware of. She belongs to Latin people everywhere and now we get to share her with the rest of the world.

Q) How was your character Rafael Olvera originally described to you?

A) He was described as an ex-priest who turned his back on the church because he felt that the Church did not move fast enough or do enough to aid people who suffered from these supernatural occurrences. With his strong faith in God and his experience as a shaman, he goes out on his own to do battle with the dark side.

Q) How familiar were you with the tale before working on the film?

A) Everyone who is Latin knows about La Llorona! We grew up with the story of this soul stealing entity that prowls the streets at night searching for children to drown in bodies of water such as rivers and lakes. There have been sightings of La Llorona for hundreds of years throughout the southwest: Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico and all-over Latin America. People have heard her cries and seen her at night. Unsolved deaths have been attributed to her, not just children but also unfaithful husbands. If you are Latin and have not heard of her, that is an anomaly. I learned of her as a young child, five or six years old. It is a tale that is handed down from generation to generation. Usually you learn about it from your family, grandparents always used it as a way get you inside once darkness arrived. They would warn you that if you didn’t come inside before dark La Llorona would get you!

Q) What did you find challenging about this project?

A) The challenges were in creating a character that balances his faith in God his spirituality and his mysticism to combat evil. Rafael Olvera is a complex character that believes in that which cannot be seen. He communicates with the other side and his boundaries are far wider than most peoples – a seer who looks for evil and finds it. He is deeply caring and knows that he does not always have the answers and must figure it out as he goes along relying on his faith and belief in the power of forces unseen.

Q) What advice did director Michael Chaves offer during the filming that you took to heart?

A) Chaves was great in that he trusted me to work and bring the magic. He is so enthusiastic about the horror genre and it was infectious. Every little detail is so important and really adds up to form a picture. He loves the idea of bringing this tale to the big screen and was really so concerned that we tell a story that people could relate to and understand this dark spirit’s plight. There are different tales of La Llorona from all over the world and we had to narrow our focus to this one specific narration. We have to work within the confines of the script and work schedule to make a movie and Chaves was so committed to working hard to try to get it right. His collaboration and focus were inspiring. He also told me that Rafael is a bad ass!

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

A) There were several unexplainable incidents that occurred during the filming of this movie; footsteps in empty rooms, cold breezes that came from nowhere, objects falling without reason. But the most memorable moment for me was when we were shooting a scene where I was at a face-off with La Llorona. I had my hand raised to God in prayer and my other hand holding the bible. I was attempting to cast her away. During the scene a bracelet I was wearing for protection against negative energy bursts off my wrist as I was reciting a prayer. The bracelet was made of a hard stone, obsidian, and is meant for protection. We cut and as I picked up the stones three of them were cut perfectly in half. I took one outside on a stone porch and tried to break it and could not. It was unexplainable.

Q) What do you think it is about The Curse of La Llorona that will make it a fast fan favorite horror movie?

A) The Curse of La Llorona will appeal to horror fans because it is a fun ride, full of jump scares and frightening images that will haunt an audience long after they leave their seats. She sticks with you once you have seen her, her image will haunt the recesses of your consciousness. The sound of a woman crying in the night will forever be linked to La Llorona.

Q) You have starred in a number of incredible film and television projects. What have been some of your favorites to work on?

A) Some of my favorites are Clear and Present Danger, Blood In’ Blood Out, The Cleveland Abduction, “The Closer” and “Breaking Bad.” I found the challenges of the characters to be difficult and at times and the physicality of shooting these parts rough! Each part presents an opportunity to mentally, physically and emotionally test yourself. Often the challenge is for you to challenge yourself! To make a character walk and talk is no easy task. I have always thought that acting is one of the hardest things to attempt. Such a difficult craft. Often what makes a part a wonderful experience is the collaboration with the director, the day in and day out chemistry with the other actors and working in sync with the crew. The work, the locations, the cast and crews. I loved working on Clear and Present Danger because I read the novel long before I ever attempted the role and I loved it! The Cleveland Abduction was a difficult transformation, physically and mentally, and the shooting conditions were really rough – Cleveland in December. Blood In’ Blood Out was the telling of a predominantly Latin story over a long period of time. Creating the relationships and chemistry in the film was challenging in every frame of film. There was so much history we had to bring into every scene. “The Closer” was such a good cast, chemistry and storylines. To take a character over a long period of time is such a huge responsibility you have carry the character and live with it for a very long time. “Breaking Bad” was and is the most difficult part I have ever done! The maintenance of the energy of Tuco was exhausting. The heightened senses, emotional, mental and physical, was so challenging that by the end of the shooting day I was completely exhausted and drained. I never saw Tuco as a bad guy. He just looked at things differently.

Q) We loved your performance on “Major Crimes” and “The Closer.” Where do you think Julio Sanchez would be these days?

A) I have no idea.

Q) Have you kept in touch with your costars from the series?

A) Yes, Michael Paul Chan and I play golf regularly! At least once a week. MPC is a pretty good golfer, highly competitive, hates to lose.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) Thanks! I always feel it is an honor and a privilege to work on any project as well as a huge responsibility. I am thankful for fan appreciation. It’s so supportive!