Barbara Mori has made so many telenovelas– about a dozen – that she started worrying about being stuck in a television rut. Playing helpless, weepy and demure women got old. Then she was cast in a soap opera of a lifetime.
Univision’s “Rubi” catapulted Mori into the hearts of millions of viewers in Latin America and the United States in 2004. What made Rubi stand out was that she was a villain and a strong lead character.
The nighttime soap went on to become a ratings powerhouse and made Mori one of the most recognizable faces on Spanish-language television. It was during the production of “Rubi” that the actress received a script for the film version of best-selling author Jamie Bayly’s “La Mujer de Mi Hermano” (“My Brother’s Wife”).
Set in Mexico City, the story centers around Zoë and Ignacio, a young wealthy couple who deal with adultery and bisexuality as their relationship begins to fall apart.
Mori, 28, was in Beverly Hills recently to promote the film, which opens in Orange County today.
ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Why did you decide to make a film with taboo subjects?
Barbara Mori:When I got the script, I was in Mexico recording “Rubi.” I loved it. It’s a story with strong themes and it’s different than what we’re used to seeing in Latin America. My character, Zoë, has nothing to do with Barbara Mori and I welcomed that challenge.
OCR: What’s the difference between acting on a soap opera and on a film?
MORI:In television, you have 30 to 40 scenes a day to tackle and you don’t have much time to prepare. You have no time to sit down and study the character. In film, you have much more time and that allows you to grow as an actress.
OCR: How have audiences in Latin America responded?
MORI:I believe (Latinos) are ready for something like this. The film will leave audiences thinking. The movie looks at bisexuality. There are many people who live this kind of life.
OCR:How do you think women will react to your character?
MORI:Zoë is afraid of making decisions. She’s been in a relationship for 10 years. Her husband doesn’t want to make love to her and she can’t have children. It’s a bad situation, but it’s also a story with a message that tells women to fight for what they want.
OCR:There’s been a lot of talk about the love scenes. How did you deal with disrobing for the camera?
MORI:It wasn’t an easy thing for me and when there are so many technicians on a set, it gets more complicated. I spoke a lot with the director. Ricardo (de Montreuil) told me not to worry. I trusted him. He told me that if I didn’t like what we shot, we’d repeat the scenes. He wanted those scenes to be sensual, visual and beautiful.
OCR:How do you feel about this being your first feature film opening in the United States?
MORI: I’m really happy, but it’s also a huge responsibility. Lionsgate is really behind this. I feel nervous, but I trust that Latinos here will love the film and go see it.
OCR:Like former Mexican soap-opera actress Salma Hayek, would you like to conquer Hollywood?
MORI:I am taking English-language classes. I want to be better prepared. It would be nice to work here, but one of my biggest dreams is to make films in Argentina and Spain. Films from those countries have inspired me tremendously. I’ll go anywhere for a good script. After 10 years of soaps, I felt stuck in telenovelas. Television is a fast-paced world and you don’t feel challenged after a while.
OCR:When did you begin working?
MORI: At 14, I worked as a waitress in a pizzeria. At 15, I went into modeling. At 17, I became financially independent. At 18, I studied acting through TV Azteca’s Actors Education and Formation Center. Most of my career was through TV Azteca. Then I made “Rubi” (which aired on Univision) and look what happened?
OCR:How did “Rubi” change your life?
MORI:It opened a lot of doors. So many people in Latin America know me. Rubi was the villain, but she was the show’s leading character. People were rooting for her even though she was a bad seed. I never imagined the soap was going to be so popular. I didn’t want to do another soap and play a victim. Rubi was strong and I believe that’s what people liked.
OCR: There’s talk of doing a Part II of “Rubi.” Are you interested?
MORI:“Rubi” was very successful. Why mess with something that good? I want to do other things.
OCR: You live in Mexico. Have you considered moving to Los Angeles for work?
MORI: People are telling me to move here, but I have a son and I don’t want to take him away from his father. But I’m only a call and flight away from working here, so it’s more than possible to keep working in the United States.
Contact the writer: (714) 796-7990 or jaguila@ocregister.com
