Filmmaker Statement

Growing up, my sister and I were always reminded of these things we called "Cubanisms", which were sayings my family told us in an attempt to keep us safe. Things like, “good Cuban girls don’t go out in the rain with wet hair or else you'll get sick”, or an occasional, “good Cuban girls can’t take a shower when it’s raining because then they’ll get struck by lightning.” I didn't believe in these "Cubanisms" at first, but one day, I followed a boy out in the rain while I had wet hair and I got sick for months after. I never doubted a "Cubanism" after that. These moments inspired me to write "Good Cuban Girls", and bring to the screen the lives of young Latina women who are navigating this pull between the Cuban traditions they grew up with and the American world they grew up in. I hope that "Good Cuban Girls" inspires other young Latina women to leave home, even if they’re the very first in their family to do so.