LAS ROSAS
Web-series
6 Episodes
2017-2018
A Curious Creators Project
Las Rosas is the story of two sisters, Mariana and Marisol, waging an epic battle over Mariana’s Quinceañera and the place of cultural tradition for a young person growing up in
This web-series showcases themes of sisterhood, growing pains, and how the Latin and Australian lifestyles clash and converge in Western Sydney. It marries contemporary, coming-of-age Australian drama with Telenovela to showcase a unique Latin Australian outlook not often represented in Australian media.
Las Rosas is a production by CuriousWorks emerging grassroots artists, the Curious Creators. It is directed by Daisy Montalvo, an emerging artist of El Salvadorian background, and written by Daisy Montalvo, Miranda Aguilar, Samia Halabi, Shawn Spina, Cristobal Olguin and Thomas Barrell. Guido Gonzalez acted
Las Rosas premiered online on Saturday 29 September, with all six episodes released on a weekly basis from September to November. Our current focus is expanding its reach through the international film festival circuit. You can watch all six episodes on our Youtube channel here.
SYNOPSIS
In Latin-America, when a girl turns 15 her family throws her a Quinceañera, a coming-of-age ceremony and celebration of her blossoming womanhood. Latin-American families throw these celebrations wherever they live, even in the distinctly un-Latin streets of Mt. Druitt.
On the eve of Marisol’s 15th birthday, her mother died, and she had a funeral instead of a party. Years later, Marisol, now an ambitious young woman, is planning the Quinceañera she never had for Mariana, her rebellious younger sister. As Mariana’s 15th birthday approaches, the sisters cannot agree on anything- whether it’s the dress, the cake, or if Mariana even wants a Quinceañera.
As the sisters continue to clash over family, growing pains and cultural traditions, they must bridge the gap between them- or risk not only the
PROCESS
In 2017, the Curious Creators embarked on their most ambitious, self-directed project to date – Las Rosas, a web-series grown from layers of community training, development, practice and mentorship.
All key roles were led by key Curious Creators, with support from other new or younger CC’s across the production, from cast and crew, to social media, and post production teams, totaling over 50 young people. At the same time the wider communities of Mt Druitt, Fairfield and Liverpool offered their homes, streets, churches, theatre, cafes and time to support these young cultural leaders pursuing their vision.
From the outset, the young artistic team wanted to reach for something fun and pop that would appeal to their own age-group as the main audience. They were very keen to make a story about love, sisterhood and growing up that didn’t succumb to the clichés of bleak poverty or a hysterical portrayal of broken lives on the suburban fringes. In fact, Las Rosas is entirely an expression of blossoming, expectation, investment in fantasy, the power of cultures mixing and embracing where you come from.
Official Launch Party at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre
Wrap Party at the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre
PERSONNEL
Core Writer Team: Daisy Montalvo, Thomas Barrell, Samia Halabi, Miranda Aguilar, Shawn Spina, Cristabol Olguin
Core Production Team
Daisy Montalvo – Director
Caitlin Newton-Broad – Producer
Thomas Barrel – First AD
Samia Halabi – Second AD
Miranda Aguilar – Showrunner
Adam McPhilbin – Director of Photography
Dani Sitto – First Camera Operator
Shamim Waseeq – Second Camera Operator
Shawn Spina – Sound Recordist, Assistant Producer & Assistant Editor
Cristabol Olguin – Lead Editor and Script Supervisor
Elodie Reynaud – Script Assistant & Continuity
Wendy Pham – EPK Camera
Linda Ogonowski – Junior Production Designer
Katja Handt – Lead Production Designer
Amy Valantine – Makeup & Costume
Lead & Supporting Cast
Luciana Valentina – Marisol
Louisa Panucci – Mariana
Cameron Hutt – Ethan
Hernan Flores – Lito
Bee Cruise – Sunny
Firdaws Adelpour – Jose
Nicole Toum – Mia
Amira Halabi – Dom
Katahlia Barnard – Silvia
David Robertts – DJ/ Announcer
Stephany Reventos – Honey
Frederico Rekowski – Priest
Mentors: Caitlin Newton-Broad, S. Shakthidharan, Guido Gonzalez, Annabel Davis, Andy Ko and Vanessa Hyde – all core staff invested heavily in supporting this project. External Industry & Community mentors include Blake Ayshford, Clare Atkins, Julie Kalceff, Maria Tran, Roxie Vuong, Adrian Castro, Andrew Soo, Katja Handt
Wider team of volunteers: Jaida Walker, Samantha Barahona, Douson Yuan, Olivia Barnett, Ace Roque, Diego Murillo, Michael Pisciuneri, Andrea Beeten, Yilak Mumbilla, Alexandra Olguin, Laura Patino, Junior Montalvo, Christian Gonzalez, Honor McGrath.