Trópico de Sangre

Infobox Film
name = Trópico de Sangre
imdb_id = 0982943
director = Juan Delancer
starring = Michelle Rodriguez
Celines Toribio
Claudette Lalí
César Évora|
released = 2009
language = Spanish

"Trópico de Sangre" is a dramatic film based on the true story of the Dominican Republic's historic Mirabal sisters.

Plot summary

The film focuses on Minerva Mirabal and tells the true story of how she and her sisters dared to stand up against dictator Rafael Trujillo in the 1960s, and were eventually assassinated as a result.

Cast

*Michelle Rodriguez as Minerva Mirabal
*Juan Fernandez as Rafael Trujillo
*Celines Toribio as Dedé Mirabal
*Claudette Lalí as Emilia Bencosme
*César Évora as Antonio de la Maza

Filming info

* The film begins shooting in the Dominican Republic in November 2008.
* Actress Michelle Rodriguez is not only starring in, but also co-producing the film with her production company Cheshire Kat Productions.
* Real-life surviving sister, Dedé Mirabal, is consulting on and participating in the production of the film.

Controversy

In July 2008, the president of the Minerval Mirabal Foundation, Carlos Leiter, publicly criticized the film, specifically the involvement of actress Michelle Rodriguez due to her past legal issues. Leiter threatened to sue Rodriguez and her co-producers citing illegal use of the Mirabal name, unless charitable organizations of his choice, including his own, were given all revenues, including Rodriguez's entire personal salary, from the film. [cite web|title=Foundation Sues Producers|date=2008-07-09|accessdate=2008-07-26|publisher=MasVIP|url=http://www.masvip.com.do/news/121/ARTICLE/3483/2008-07-09.html] Within days, the film's writer/director Juan Delancer responded to such criticisms by stating "One does not need permission to bring history to film." Delancer pointed out that Dedé Mirabal herself approved of and supported the film and its star, and was even appearing in the film as its narrator. He also defended Rodriguez, as both a person and actress, saying it is impressive that "a figure of her size who had just completed projects with the likes of Charlize Theron ("Battle in Seattle") and James Cameron ("Avatar")" would even participate in such a small production, let alone show such "undeniable" dedication to it as both an actress and producer. [cite web|title=You Don't Need Permission to Bring History to Film|date=2008-07-13|accessdate=2008-07-26|publisher=MasVIP|url=http://www.masvip.com.do/news/126/ARTICLE/3496/2008-07-11.html]

References

External links

* [http://www.tropicodesangre.com Official "Trópico de Sangre" Website]
*imdb title|id=0982943|title=Trópico de Sangre
* [http://www.michelle-rodriguez.com/tropicodesangre.htm Michelle Rodriguez Official Website]