There is a healing power to talking, according to the actor Claudia Zevallos, while seeking therapy from a psychologist can seem like a luxury for some.
In the new comedy A Snowy Day in Oakland, which premieres Friday, Zevallos plays the co-owner of a bodega, along with the character of her father, played by Cuban American actor Tony Planas.
The film, which blends psychology and comedy elements, tells the story of LaTrice Monroe, an upscale San Francisco psychologist played by Nicole Ari Parker who decides to open a private practice named HeadShop in a predominantly Black neighborhood.
The storyline about how therapy and mental health are perceived is relatable for Zevallos, who played in last year's film Tyson's Run.
It is a taboo topic in our community. So what we Latinos do is to talk to the prima, the cousin, we talk to our best friend, or else we go to church, the Peruvian actor said. We dealt with our problems in this way. For us, going to a psychologist is something foreign. A Snowy Day in Oakland has an underlying message: We hear you.'' Zevallos said that. When everyone comes together, anything could be possible. It's ok to be you. The film was written and conducted by Kim Bass, creator of the 1990s sitcom Sister, Sister, which featured Tia and Tamera Mowry as twins who were reunited after getting separated at birth.
Plana, remembered by fans as Betty Surez's father, Ignacio, on ABC - TV sitcom Ugly Betty, said the movie spoke to his experiences.
He said that African Americans and Latino communities live together, next to each other, everywhere in this country. Many of us are working class. A lot of us are fighting for better economic results than what we have. As LaTrice helps her neighbors get comfortable with examining themselves, she learns to address the obstacles that stand in the way of their dreams. Plana highlights progress that shows viewers a fuller representation of diverse characters.
He said that we are still struggling to be represented in a fully human way, away from stereotypes, referring to characters on TV and film. One of the things that I love about A Snowy Day is that it allows us to be who we are.