SXSW 2021: ‘Women Is Losers’ Shines a Light on Representation
16 Mar, 2021
Women Is Losers, the feature film directorial debut from writer/director/producer Lissette Feliciano (Better Off Alone, With Children), that is premiering at SXSW Online 2021 in the Narrative Feature category, is nothing short of intelligently eye-opening, entertaining, witty and artistically original. The film, which examines our country’s history of discrimination, is also educational, historically on-point and emotionally touching.
Watch our exclusive Zoom interview with Women Is Losers Writer/Director/Producer Lissette Feliciano and Star/Executive Producer Lorenza Izzo from SXSW Online 2021
“What I wanted to do with this film was to [create a] space for people to observe and reflect within themselves, without making it feel like a judgment or a conviction…[It] allows you space to look at what your position is, regardless of where you stand on the issue,” said Feliciano when asked if she had any reservations in making a film containing controversial and difficult topics surrounding women, race and class.
With a talented and solid star-studded cast, which includes Lorenzo Izzo (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Knock, Knock), who also serves as the movie’s Executive Producer, Bryan Craig (General Hospital), Simu Liu (Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings, Kim’s Convenience), Chrissie Fit (Pitch Perfect 2, Pitch Perfect 3) and Liza Weil (Gilmore Girls), audiences are brought into a world of colorful characters that we fall in love with from the surprising opening of the film to the inspirational and ironic ending.
When star and Executive Producer Izzo was asked by Dig IN Magazine Editor-in-Chief Cindy Maram regarding her decision to extend her role beyond acting to producing, she explained, “It was a conversation with Lissette. We collaborate really well. From the first meeting, I was like, “I not only want to be Celina, it would be an honor for me to help produce.” And when asked why she was so drawn to Feliciano’s story and script, she went onto say, “I feel so strongly about this. This is me, my mother, my grandmother, my cousin, my aunt, my friends, boys, men,” it was just like, “This is the story for everybody.”
Feliciano’s brilliance shines through with her layered cinematic style combined with smart and ironic fourth wall breaks. Izzo exemplifies her stellar acting chops as she exudes humor into her character of Celina enabling the audience to tenderly connect with the character in a way that feels intimate and personal. And the film’s leading man Bryan Craig, who plays the role of Mateo (Celina’s love interest), possesses a charming and magnetic appeal.
About midway through the movie, there is a contrasting scene between Gilbert (Simu Liu) and Celina (Izzo), which takes the viewer on a historical trip back to the era of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Liu’s smooth and cool acting style allows him to own the role of Gilbert, a sharp and successful businessman who has risen above the history of prejudice and discrimination that his descendants endured. The conclusion of the movie leaves the viewer with an ultimate feeling of fulfillment as we are left with feelings of total contentment and hope.
Overall, Women Is Losers isn’t only a humorous, emotional story of love and overcoming hardship, but also directs our attention toward important social issues such as the urgent need for representation, women’s rights, the tragedies of war, racial discrimination, marginalization, class and politics.
Feliciano, a graduate of Tisch School of the Arts and a Tribeca Film Institute AT&T Untold Stories grant recipient, who was also named one of Shoot’s Magazine’s new directors to watch, is a San Francisco native. The film is inspired by the life of her mother, as well as her own life experiences. Through original content and her production company, Look At The Moon Pictures, the filmmaker inspires future generations of leaders and shines a light on underrepresented groups.
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