HBO Documentary Series About Quinceañeras Shows Us What It’s Like For Latinas

HBO is cool now and is jumping on the Latino bandwagon, paying homage to one of our more idiosyncratic cultural practices. The premium cable and satellite television network, along with its Latino sister channel, will be releasing a special series of four short documentaries from December 19th to the 22nd.

The show will revolve around the different ways that various Latina women celebrate their fifteenth birthday, better-known as a quinceañera. It is a special celebration in many Latino communities that represents a teenage girl’s transition into adulthood.

Many big names took interest in this project and are involved with the production crew. All four of the short films will be directed by Emmy-winner filmmaker, Matthew O’Neill, who is responsible for other HBO documentaries like Baghdad ER.

Mexican musician, Thalia Sodi, will be making her directorial debut with this project. The executive producer of the show is none other than music industry mogul, Tommy Mottola.

15: A Quinceañera Story, will follow five women from different backgrounds as they share their experience of growing up as Latino woman in America. The stories are supposed to reflect the pressures that teenage girls of color are put through as they navigate through the sociopolitical standards and expectations are set against them.

The Hollywood Reporter interviewed O’Neill, Thalia Sodi, and Mr. Mottola, who all seem to share the same opinion about the importance of this series. “The featured young women are examples of the breadth and diversity of the Latina experience in America.

“We’re proud to celebrate them and their communities as they contend with the complicated realities of growing up in America today,” said O’Neil in the interview. Mexican Thalia Sodi also shared her views, “As a Latina, I’m proud to share our culture and shine a spotlight on these dynamic, talented and beautiful young women featured in these four films.”

Finally, Mottola added, “These young women are fierce and determined and represent the rising generation of American Latinas who are helping define the future of our country.”

The five women that will be featured on the series are Zoey, who is a trans woman living in Los Angeles, Rosi, an American that wants to celebrate her quinceañera in Havana, Cuba because her family members are not allowed in the United States, Ashley, an amateur boxer that has to deal with people close to her being deported, and Jackie and Nina, two friends who want a joint celebration.

Article inspired by Latina // HBO Features New Short Documentary Series Following Different Latina’s Journeys to Turning 15