As a lover of both cinema and children’s programming, I find Maria Canals-Barrera to be a truly remarkable figure in the entertainment industry. Her life experiences, from growing up with a grandmother named Dora to her Cuban heritage, seem to have beautifully intertwined with her professional journey.
During a specific time period, kids might remember being surrounded by the name “Dora” due to its omnipresence in children’s media. Most notably, Nickelodeon skyrocketed in popularity with the adored “explorer,” who has recently made a comeback in an animated reboot format. The star-studded cast now includes renowned TV actress Maria Canals-Barrera, whose latest offbeat movie “Seven Cemeteries” was just released. In an interview with MovieWeb, she shared insights about her recent projects spanning both the big and small screen, as well as her unique relationship with “Dora.
Canals-Barrera said, “It’s ironic that my grandmother’s name was Dora, and my sister shares her name. I grew up in Miami with Cuban roots, and Dora wasn’t a common name there, though it isn’t entirely unheard of. Still, it’s quite rare. When the original show debuted, I told my sister, ‘Look! There’s a show named after you and Grandma!’ It turns out that Pablo Picasso had a lover named Dora as well. Given all this, I’m obviously thrilled to be part of the new Dora.
Canals-Barrera also opened up about the original show’s historical significance:
The show significantly exposed many young children to the rich Latin heritage, delving beyond a vague blend of Latino culture. Instead, it focused on specific aspects, such as detailing that its protagonist’s mother is Peruvian and Mexican, while her father is Cuban. Therefore, I am essentially a Cuban grandmother who shares not only my Cuban heritage but also incorporates Mexican culture, Mexican cuisine, which we all appreciate, and various types of music, all of which are fantastic.
Reviving the ‘Wholesome’ Dora
In the golden era of television, overflowing with TV-MA series for adults, Canals-Barrera – a mother of two – finds comfort knowing that family-friendly shows like Dora continue to exist and flourish. “My children are now 21 and 19 years old,” she shared, “but I recall when they were younger, worrying about the content they consumed… some things inappropriate for their age. Thus, as a mother, I’m reassured that Dora remains so innocent, sweet, and filled with goodness, inspiration, purity, and truth.
For approximately the next ten years, children can retain their pure, blissful, unspoiled innocence in today’s world, given all the complexities around us. It’s a source of pride for me to contribute to something that can provide them with such an experience.
Additionally, there’s the film titled “Seven Cemeteries“, more appropriate for mature audiences that has recently been released for the chilling season. This production features Danny Trejo as a character with shades of an antihero who enlists the aid of a witty witch (Canals-Barrera) to resurrect his former gang to fight against ruthless drug lords. With its blend of Western and horror genres, this movie also offers a delightful touch of humor courtesy of Canals-Barrera’s comedic skills. As she explained, “I appreciate when dramas, especially those classified as horror, include humorous moments because that’s how we cope with life. So it feels very authentic, and I believe it adds another layer of enjoyment, making it a fantastic choice for watching during Halloween.
From Quiver Distribution, Seven Cemeteries is now available on demand and digital.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-27 07:01