Meet Beto
played by Simone Brazzini
We talked to one of our lead cast members, Simone Brazzini, about playing Beto in the film. They tell us all about their character, how they got into acting, and what they hope audiences will take away from the film.
Simone, tell us about yourself!
I am a multi-hyphenate actor and filmmaker from Lima, Peru. I was raised in Dallas, Texas, went to school in Chicago, lived a year in Salt Lake City, and now I'm based in Los Angeles, so I'm from all over. I started acting in preschool plays when I was two years old and I never stopped. I always loved it. In elementary school, I started a drama club; in middle school, I did all the plays; in high school, I was in varsity theater; and then I majored in acting in college. So it's just always been in my bones and I'm grateful to be able to do what I love.
Were there any catalyst moments in your acting career?
A formative acting moment happened when I was 12 and I watched Jennifer Lawrence in The Poker House. I was probably too young to watch this movie, but I just remember her performance being so raw and real. It really opened my eyes to what acting could be, and I never looked back.
How would you describe your character, Beto?
I would describe them as curious, quiet, and kind. If I were to describe them to a friend, I would say that Beto is a young teen who loves their family and is trying to figure out who they are and how they fit into or defy societal expectations. What's important to Beto is family, Selena, and self-exploration. Beto reminds me that being Latinx can mean intersecting, it doesn't have to be one thing or another.
What is Beto’s role in the film?
I would say their role is to observe and to provide a bit of an outside perspective on the plot. It was challenging to play Beto because I had to convey emotion and meaning without a lot of dialogue.
[continued below]
Life on Set
Let’s talk about your time on set. Can you share one of your favorite memories?
One of my favorite memories on set is also one of my earliest memories from filming. The first day we all got there, we went to a park and had like a family-style barbecue. I just remember being with the other young actors and all of us sharing how we got into acting and what our dreams and goals were. We bonded together, and that moment was really special.
Overall, working on that with the cast and crew was awesome. It was obvious that we were making something special. The set was super professional and collaborative. We got to improvise and bring ourselves to the character and to the film. It inspired a lot of artistic integrity in me. So overall, I'm just super grateful to have been a part of this film.
What do you think people will enjoy about this film?
So something I think people will enjoy in this film is the sense of playfulness amongst the cousins. During those scenes, we were allowed to improvise and just be present. I think that playfulness really shines through in the film.
I also think another thing that people will enjoy and take away is, you know, the sense of supporting one another through family. There's a strong sense of family in this film, and what I hope people take away more than anything is that community should come together through tough times. I think that's prevalent throughout the film, and I hope people know that they can always turn to their communities when times are tough.
To keep up with Simone and their upcoming projects please follow them on IG @simonebrazzini
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