Courtesy ‘Bella' is a critically acclaimed movie refreshingly free of Latino stereotypes.

Plenty of actors and entertainers talk about integrity and staying true to oneself. Some actually adhere to those convictions, while others will shill anything for a paycheck.

Eduardo Verastegui definitely falls into the former group.

The 33-year-old native of Mexico once seemed on the verge of stardom with 2003's “Chasing Papi.”

But after growing increasingly frustrated with the parts he was being offered, most notably those that portrayed Latinos as nothing more than walking stereotypes, Verastegui vowed to only accept roles he felt painted more positive pictures of the Latino community.

Soon after, the roles had dried up, and Verastegui could barely pay his rent. But then, after starting up a small production company in his home,

Verastegui and his partners were able to gain financing for a new film, titled “Bella.”

The film, which tells the story of a former soccer star (played by Verastegui), a waitress and how their lives are  turned upside down over the course of one day, won the People's Choice Award at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival.

In a recent chat with 210SA, Verastegui talked about staying true to his beliefs in times of adversity, finding redemption in “Bella” and the film's Oscar chances.

What prompted you to start choosing roles based on the character's redeeming value?

I don't seek to be a personal success. I seek to be a person of value and integrity. That's success. It will come, and it's a blessing, but if it doesn't come, I'm already successful with integrity. I say that because I tried both things. When I was 18, I wanted success and money and fame, and I was seduced by what society teaches you in the media: If you don't get to the top of the mountain in your career, you're a nobody, a failure and a loser. That's all I wanted — to be successful at that age and conquer all ..... But something was missing in my life. I was lost and confused. The reasons I wanted to be in this career were superficial — the fame, the money, the success. It took me 12 years to open my eyes and realize that it's not about that lifestyle.

What kinds of stereotypes did you grow accustomed to seeing in Latino characters?

They were always stereotyped in a negative way. They were always the bandito, the criminal or the drug dealer. If you're good-looking, then you're the Don Juan Latin lover, the womanizer and liar. It's very sad, and I was that person, living for the pleasure. I realize after time that Latinos have the opportunity to be heroes in the media, not like Superman, but the everyday hero and the man that has a spirit of gratitude and will sacrifice everything to help his family. It's the same with women as well. We see women more often as objects and sex symbols, but I see my family, and all the women around my family are not objects. They are the heart of the family and full of wisdom ..... I made a decision never to use the culture or offend my family or compromise my values.

How is “Bella” different from what we're used to seeing in regards to Latino portrayals?

You're never going to find banditos or drug dealers. You don't find a womanizing Latin lover. You'll find the opposite, a celebration of family and a celebration of our food and music and culture and values. In “Bella,” you find a hero, an American film hero that happens to be Latino. I don't remember the last time I saw that with a Latino, a man who sacrificed everything and was willing to make a difference in other people's lives.

Are you listening to any of the Oscar buzz that's beginning to swirl around “Bella?”

I don't even think about those things. I believe nothing is more beautiful than waking up in the morning and fighting for something you believe in. Doing the right thing, for me, is the success I was talking about. (The Toronto People's Choice Award) happened, and it was a blessing, but if it had never happened, I was already feeling peace in my heart.

How much is “Bella,” and its references to redemption and second chances, evident in your own life story?

The beauty of the film is everyone can relate to it ..... We're not perfect human beings. We mess up and fail, but there's always a second chance and always hope. ..... My life has a lot of similar things. José (Verastegui's character) had fame and success and money, but something happened where he lost it all. In my case, I had a certain level of success and fame and money, but had to give it up to do something that was different. By doing that, I learned so many things and found other things. It's the same with José. He lost it all and found what mattered in life.
 

CLINT HALE | 210SA