Interesting Facts about the Movie Coco

COCO opens in theaters everywhere on November 22nd!

You might not know everyone at this press junket, but I do. I have seen these people in other movies, tv shows or novelas before. It was such a pleasure being able to interview the cast of the movie Pixar Coco. On attendance to the press junket we had: Benjamin Bratt (voice of “Ernesto de la Cruz”), Gael Garcia Bernal (voice of “Hector”), Anthony Gonzalez (voice of “Miguel”), Edward James Olmos (voice of “Chicharron”), Alanna Ubach (voice of “Mama Imelda”), Director Lee Unkrich,  Co-Director Adrian Molina and  Producer Darla K. Anderson.

Thank you, Disney and Disney Pixar for inviting me to COCO Screening and Press Junket

Just before the junket started we were treated to a performance by Mariachi Divas and some dancers. Nothing like bringing culture before you interview an amazing group of actors. This junket was about celebrating Latin culture in every single way.

Here are some of the interesting facts we learned about the making of the film

• Lee Unkrich told us how they came with the idea for the movie: After finishing Toy Story 3, Darla and Adrian and Lee who all worked on that movie together, ​ started to think about what was next, and I had a few different ideas that they were kicking around.  And one of them was the idea of telling a story set against  Dia De Los Muertos. "I had always been interested in the tradition, and I spent some time doing some research, and really trying to understand more than I already knew.  And the more that I dug in, the more that I learned about how central family is to this celebration, and that Dia de Los Muertos is, you know, is all about this obligation that we all have to remember our loved ones, and to pass their stories along."
• Adrian Molina told us that for him making the movie was an honor and pleasure. "It has been the highlight of my career up to this point."  "I’ve always wanted to see a film - that deals so strongly with this idea of family, Miguel and his musical passion, and especially the expression of these Mexican traditions.  You know, it’s one of those things that I felt like I had a lot of experience to bring to it, and also just the - the way we work at Pixar, it’s such a collaborative effort, and to be able to work with all of these actors, all of these musicians, and to really bring to life this culture on screen was something that I was thrilled by."
• Anthony Gonzalez told us that  he really loved making the movie.  "And there was just so much fun, because it was very easy for me because I had the guidance of them,  and it was just - it was like a breeze for me, and it was just so much fun doing the voice of Miguel."
• Anthony Gonzalez was 1o years old when he audition. It was his first audition ever . At the beginning they were not sure Miguel, the character Anthony plays in the movie was going to be singing, but during his audition Anthony singed a cappella and that changed the story at that moment.
• Gael Garcia Bernal told us that he is very proud of the movie and that he is very happy with it.. "This movie is a little fable about a mythology, and a tradition that I hold very dearly, like the other mortals, and that - very proud, as well, that Mexico can give this to the world, you know, and everyone in the world can adopt this tradition, this reflection on death"
• Benjamin Bratt drew inspiration for his character from a family member.  He also did some studying of the movie clips of Pedro Infante, and Jorge Negrete to help him. But a lot of the inspiration came from someone close to home. "My own father, who’s now deceased, and who I lost touch with many years before he passed on - I lived with him in some very formative years, from 12 to about 17.  And although he was quite a bit different than who Ernesto de la Cruz is, he was larger than life - 6’3”, massive frame, broad shoulders, and a booming voice, and the kind of person that no matter which room he walked into, he commanded attention - and sometimes by saying the wrong things, well, I’ll say that much.  But nonetheless, it was the kind of thing that I could draw on because it was familiar to me.  So in that way, that was kind of like the lynch pin for me, with all this other stuff to create someone that enjoyed that adulation - not only enjoyed it, but they actually used it as his life’s blood"
• Edward James Olmos told us that he had a  brief role, but a significant one. "This became a real honor, because it - that character is what the story is.  I mean, every single person in the room that’s seen that movie understands very well that what it means is if you don’t remember your loved ones, they’re gone.  If you don’t tell the stories of that loved one, they cease to exist."
• Alanna Ubach told us that there is a message she wants kids to take home: "The importance of familia, and that is something that no presidents, or borders, or politics can ever break - that importance, the importance of familia.
• Gael Garcia Bernal ended the press junket with the best quote ever (in my opinion): "This film is a beautiful reflection on death, and the celebration life"

Having fun at the press junket

During the junket I also had the opportunity to take a guitar lesson. Let's say it feel great to "perform" for the first time at a fancy hotel in Beverly Hills. I am also not quitting my day job any time soon, but I enjoyed playing some notes with the super cute Coco inspired guitars. 

Coco merchandise

Can I say I want it all? I want the staff plush toys, the funko toys, the jewelry and the clothes. So many cool things, including guitars and games. (I have a giveaway right now if you want to try your luck)