This New World School Of The Arts Alumna Has A Film Streaming On Apple TV+
When Maria Corina Ramirez graduated from Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, she faced an uncertain future.
The undocumented teenager from Venezuela could not obtain a driver’s license, work legally or apply for academic financial aid.
But Ramirez didn’t let those obstacles stop her.
In 2011, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in acting from the New World School of the Arts. Throughout the next decade she sharpened her craft, performing in two Telemundo telenovelas, a Miami-centric TV series and various local plays.
However, the actress knew she had some unfinished business.
“I realized that there was a story I still wanted to tell which was that of my upbringing,” Ramirez said.
For the next three years, Ramirez dedicated herself to developing Bridges, a film about an undocumented Latinx high school valedictorian grappling with her fate as graduation approaches.
The 72-minute film is a gritty Miami-based production that has been featured in film festivals from New York to Los Angeles. It has streamed on platforms such as Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video since July 5.
“It’s a love letter to Miami and to Dreamers and the plight of immigrants in this country,” said Ramirez, who is now a United States citizen.
The movie’s script, originally developed in her junior acting class at NWSA, tells the true-life tale of Ramirez’s older sister—Maria Cristina Ramirez—who struggled to secure scholarships despite being her school’s valedictorian. It’s also partly in homage to Ramirez’s grandfather, who was an engineer in Venezuela.
“I received [Bridges] as this really thoughtful and poetic invitation into the plight of Venezuelan immigrants,” said Edson Jean, a local actor, writer and director who was a consultant on the film.
The film’s “ultra-low-budget”—Ramirez declined to elaborate on specifics—led Bridges to be filmed in 12 days. Ramirez was the director, producer, main actress and writer on the project.
“[Filming] could feel tiring sometimes,” said Nathalia Lares, the actress who played Gaby, the main character’s little sister in the film. “But overall, it was really fun.”
Despite the challenges, the movie offered an opportunity for Ramirez to place other women in leadership roles. Tiffany Lighty, Lu Urdaneta, Anna Lee Schmand and her sister, Maria Cristina Ramirez, served as executive producers. In addition, Jaclyn Kleinfield was the assistant director and Emerita Ocana was a line producer.
“She’s an amazing director,” Lares said, “She gives me an example of what women empowerment is.”
The hard work paid off. Bridges premiered at the Miami International Film Festival in 2020. A year later, it was showcased at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City and the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival.
“Bridges was a no-brainer to program at Miami Film Festival,” said Lauren Cohen, the director of programming at the MFF. “It’s a rich, empathetic look at personal identity and the struggles of so many in our community.”
Ramirez began honing her acting skills at local theaters when she was nine and continued doing so throughout her teenage years. From 2013 to 2015, Ramirez was an actress in two Telemundo novelas—Dueños del Paraíso and Marido En Alquiler. Three years later, she worked as an actress and writer on Grown, a comedy TV series created by Pearl Street Films.
She is currently working on two movies, a romantic drama and a film that looks at divorce from a child’s perspective. Ramirez is also in the development stages of a TV series.
“I hope to continue to write, direct and star in stories that contribute positively,” Ramirez said.
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