Director Michael Olmos On Jenni Rivera's ‘Filly Brown': 'It's Really Tough Watching The Movie Knowing She's Not Here'

Jenni Rivera's ‘Filly Brown' Finally Closer To You
|
Open Image Modal

By Michael Lopez

It’s been a long time coming and now, "Filly Brown" will finally be hitting theaters. The indie drama actually went into production over two years ago and got a ton of positive press on the festival circuit. Director Michael D. Olmos is especially proud of the final product and spoke to us about it this week.

“It feels great to see 'Filly Brown' getting into theaters,” he told us. “I feel nervous and excited at the same time.”

Michael (who happens to be the son of Tr3s fave Edward James Olmos) poured a lot of energy into 'Filly', helping to polish its script, cast the actors and wear the producer’s hat. And as he explained to us, the story was something he felt incredibly passionate about.

“The family element of this movie is really fascinating,” he said. “It’s the family that is the core of the story.”

That “family” consists of newcomer Gina Rodriguez as hip-hop prodigy “Filly Brown” and her jailed mother (played by the late great Jenni Rivera). And though La Diva de la Banda will undoubtedly attract a lot of attention to 'Filly', Olmos pointed out that the entire cast is worth watching.

“This truly is an ensemble piece and it’s so beautifully acted,” he explained. “Gina does a fantastic job and she completely blew us away with her audition.”

But there is no denying Rivera’s presence on the screen. In what will sadly be her final role, La Diva shines throughout. And as Michael explained, she was a fantastic collaborator on the set.

“Jenni was so amazing to work with,” Olmos added. “She put everything into this performance. It’s really tough watching the movie and knowing that she’s not here.”

Michael also added his famous papa to the cast as well as notable names like Lou Diamond Phillips and Baby Bash. We definitely expect big things for Brown and encourage all you indie film fans to go seek it out.

To find out more about the movie, visit its official site. And to keep up with Olmos, make sure to follow his Twitter page.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Jenni Rivera
Jenni Rivera(01 of25)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2012, file photo, singer and singing coach Jenni Rivera speaks during a press conference promoting the second season of reality show, "La Voz Mexico" in Mexico City. The wreckage of a small plane believed to be carrying Mexican-American music superstar Jenni Rivera was found in northern Mexico on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, and there are no apparent survivors, authorities said. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo, file) (credit:AP)
Jenni Rivera(02 of25)
Open Image Modal
This April 25, 2012 photo released by Telemundo shows Latin singer Jenni Rivera rehearsing for the 2012 Billboard Latin Music Awards, at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Fla. The wreckage of a small plane believed to be carrying Mexican-American music superstar Jenni Rivera was found in northern Mexico on Sunday and there are no apparent survivors, authorities said. (AP Photo/Telemundo, Gary I Rothstein/Telemundo) (credit:AP)
Jenni Rivera(03 of25)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this April 26, 2012, file photo, singing superstar Jenni Rivera performs during the Latin Billboard Awards in Coral Gables, Fla. Authorities in Mexico say the wreckage of a small plane believed to be carrying Rivera has been found on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, and there are no apparent survivors. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, file) (credit:AP)
Jenni Rivera(04 of25)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this March 8, 2012, file photo, Mexican-American singer and reality TV star Jenni Rivera poses during an interview in Los Angeles. Mexican authorities confirmed that the plane in which Rivera was traveling disappeared early Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, after leaving the Mexican northern city of Monterrey where she performed in concert on Saturday night. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, file) (credit:AP)
MEXICO-US-JENNI RIVERA-OBIT(05 of25)
Open Image Modal
Undated file picture of Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera, who died in a plane crash on December 9, 2012 close to Iturbide, Nuevo Leon state, Mexico. The wreckage of a plane carrying star Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera has been found in northern Mexico and there were no survivors, officials said. The Lear Jet was flying from south from Monterrey to Toluca, in the center of the country and was carrying six other people besides the singer, said Antonio Gonzalez, mayor of the town of Iturbide, near the crash site. AFP PHOTO/ (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Jenni Rivera, Esteban Loaiza(06 of25)
Open Image Modal
FILE - In this July 1, 2011 file photo, singer Jenni Rivera, right, and her husband, former Major League Baseball pitcher Esteban Loaiza, pose for a photograph with replicas of Las Vegas Walk of Stars presented to them during an official ceremony in Las Vegas. The couple, who married on Sept. 8, 2010, filed for divorce on Oct. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File) (credit:AP)
Jenni Rivera Press Conference(07 of25)
Open Image Modal
Jenni Rivera attends a press conference on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Woodland Hills, California. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP) (credit:AP)
Jenni Rivera(08 of25)
Open Image Modal
People watch mexican singer Jenni Rivera under heavy rain on a giant TV screen during the traditional "El Grito," or shout, to kick off Independence Day celebrations at the Zocalo in Mexico City, late Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Mexico is marking the 202st anniversary of the "Grito de Dolores," honoring the call to arms made by the priest Miguel Hidalgo in 1810 that began the struggle for independence from Spain, achieved in 1821. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) (credit:AP)
Miguel Bose, Paulina Rubio, Beto Cuevas, Jenni Rivera(09 of25)
Open Image Modal
Spanish singer Miguel Bose, from left to right, Mexico's pop star Paulina Rubio, former singer of the Chilean band La Ley Beto Cuevas, and Mexican singer Jenni Rivera, pose for photographers during a press conference promoting the second season of reality show, "La Voz Mexico" in Mexico City, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo) (credit:AP)
27th Annual Imagen Awards - Arrivals(10 of25)
Open Image Modal
Jenni Rivera 27th Annual Imagen Awards - Arrivals The Beverly Hills Hotel Beverly Hills, CA 8/10/12 © Jill Johnson/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 (credit:jpistudios.com)
27th Annual Imagen Awards - Arrivals(11 of25)
Open Image Modal
Jenni Rivera 27th Annual Imagen Awards - Arrivals The Beverly Hills Hotel Beverly Hills, CA 8/10/12 © Jill Johnson/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 (credit:jpistudios.com)
Los Angeles Special Screening of "Girl In Progress"(12 of25)
Open Image Modal
Jenni Rivera Los Angeles Special Screening of "Girl In Progress" Director's Guild Of America Los Angeles, CA 5/2/12 © Jill Johnson/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 (credit:jpistudios.com)
Billboard Latin Music Awards 2012 - Arrivals(13 of25)
Open Image Modal
Jenni Rivera, Chino y Nacho Billboard Latin Music Awards 2012 at Bank United Center on April 26, 2012 in Miami, Florida. 4/26/2012 © Argoimages/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 (credit:jpistudios.com)
Jenni Rivera in a 'Sold Out' Concert (14 of25)
Open Image Modal
Jenni Rivera Jenni Rivera in a 'Sold Out' Concert the Nokia Theater Los Angeles, CA 8/06/10 © JC Olivera/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 (credit:jpistudios.com)
Jenni Rivera in a 'Sold Out' Concert (15 of25)
Open Image Modal
Jenni Rivera Jenni Rivera in a 'Sold Out' Concert the Nokia Theater Los Angeles, CA 8/06/10 © JC Olivera/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 (credit:jpistudios.com)
'Jenni Rivera presents: Chiquis and Raq-C' launching party(16 of25)
Open Image Modal
Jenni Rivera, Esteban Loaiza 'Jenni Rivera presents: Chiquis and Raq-C' launching party Hollywood, CA 6/30/10 © JC Olivera/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 (credit:jpistudios.com)
'Jenni Rivera presents: Chiquis and Raq-C' launching party(17 of25)
Open Image Modal
Jenni Rivera 'Jenni Rivera presents: Chiquis and Raq-C' launching party Hollywood, CA 6/30/10 © JC Olivera/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 (credit:jpistudios.com)
'Jenni Rivera presents: Chiquis and Raq-C' launching party(18 of25)
Open Image Modal
Jenni Rivera, Janney Rivera, Raquel Cordova 'Jenni Rivera presents: Chiquis and Raq-C' launching party Hollywood, CA 6/30/10 © JC Olivera/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661 (credit:jpistudios.com)
The 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards - Show(19 of25)
Open Image Modal
HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 13: Singer Jenni Rivera performs onstage during the 9th annual Latin GRAMMY awards held at the Toyota Center on November 13, 2008 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Singers Vikki Carr (L), Olga Tanon, and(20 of25)
Open Image Modal
Singers Vikki Carr (L), Olga Tanon, and Jenni Rivera (R) perform onstage during the 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards held on November 13, 2008 in Houston, Texas. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards - Show(21 of25)
Open Image Modal
HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 13: Singers Lupillo (L) and Jenni Rivera perform onstage during the 9th annual Latin GRAMMY awards held at the Toyota Center on November 13, 2008 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards - Show(22 of25)
Open Image Modal
HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 13: (L-R) Singers Vikki Carr, Olga Tanon, and Jenni Rivera perform onstage during the 9th annual Latin GRAMMY awards held at the Toyota Center on November 13, 2008 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The 9th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards - Show(23 of25)
Open Image Modal
HOUSTON - NOVEMBER 13: Singers Lupillo (L) and Jenni Rivera perform onstage during the 9th annual Latin GRAMMY awards held at the Toyota Center on November 13, 2008 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Jenni Rivera at Latin Grammy Awards Arrivals(24 of25)
Open Image Modal
HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 18: Singer Jenni Rivera attends the 3rd Annual Latin Grammy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on September 18, 2002 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Robert Mora/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
LARAS Person Of The Year Presentation & Gala Arrivals(25 of25)
Open Image Modal
HOLLYWOOD - SEPTEMBER 17: Recording Artist Jenni Rivera attends the LARAS Person of the Year Tribute Presentation and Gala for recording artist Vicente Fernandez at the Kodak Theatre Grand Ballroom on September 17, 2002 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Robert Mora/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)