NYILFF: Michelle Rodriguez & Celinés Toribio In 'Trópico de Sangre'

By Elis T. Ortiz
Photo Credit: Bashira Webb

La noche más popular del NY International Latino Film Festival is arguably Dominican night…
and this year it did not disappoint! The press was in a frenzy awaiting the big stars, Michelle
Rodriguez and Celinés Toribio of the movie "Trópico de Sangre."

Some took celebrating la noche Dominicana a bit too seriously, constructing a makeshift microphone out of a platano and taping a piece of yucca on top, declaring that’s the instrument they’d use for their interviews. But all jokes were cast aside and focus was drawn back to the stars as soon as they graced the green carpet.

"Trópico de Sangre" premiere at NYILFF on July 29, 2010

Director Juan Delancer made his way down first, assuring us that his main goal with "Trópico
de Sangre" was to tell the truth about Trujillo’s dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. As it’s
very important for him to promote tolerance and equality for women through his work, he feels
fortunate to have gotten two great Dominican talents in Michelle and Celinés to represent this film.

Director Juan Delancer

The movie tells a truer version of the story of the famous Mirabal sisters who stood up against
the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the Dominican Republic, three of whom paid for it with their
lives. Yes, there was that 2001 adaptation of the story called "In The Time of the Butterflies"
starring Salma Hayek and Marc Anthony, but that was a fictionalized account.

"Trópico de Sangre," sin embargo, nos cuenta la historia con la ayuda de la única hermana Mirabal
sobreviviente, Bélgica Adela “Dedé” Mirabal-Reyes.

Michelle Rodriguez, who plays the part of the sister who spearheaded the movement against
Trujillo, Minerva Mirabal, arrived at the red carpet in her usual, casual fashion. She wore all
black pants and top, with a cropped leather jacket and minimal makeup that highlighted her
natural beauty. That girl’s best accessory is always her smile!

Celinés Toribio

Celinés Toribio, or “Dedé” in the movie, was all glamour on the carpet in a silk baby pink dress
with a high slit up to her hip, barely covered in see-through lace. Standing next to her handsome
husband and manager Giancarlo Chersich, the pair made quite an elegant sight to behold.

Juan Fernandez

Later that night, the Trópico de Sangre afterparty was appropriately held at El Morocco. The
exotic décor, plus the DJ playing tons of Dominican merengue and bachata were exactly what
the night called for.

Aunque Michelle nunca llegó, and neither did Aventura’s Henry Santos, who’s not in this film but made a cameo earlier on the carpet, la fiesta estuvo muy divertida.

Célines and Giancarlo were dancing in the VIP area with actor Juan Fernandez, who played the part of Trujillo in the film. Other actors from the film also partied it up, including Luchy Estévez, Alexander Estrella, y Liche Ariza.

When asked if she was proud to partake in this Latino film, Michelle Rodriguez responded
that she’s a “citizen of the world” and though her Latin roots give her a spiciness that she
takes with her, Michelle feels labels divide us and she’s more in favor of bringing us together.

Well put Michelle, pero seguimos apoyando a los Latinos en todos lados, incluyendo el cine!
For more info on "Trópico de Sangre" visit their website, y para ver más del NY International Latino Film Festival, keep it here on Blogamole!

Tags CineMas Cool, interview, latin, Michelle Rodriguez, Movies, Movies & CineMás, new york international latino film festival, photo, Photos, Trópico de Sangre