Interview with Aurora Guerrero- Director of Mosquita y Mari

Posted on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Mosquita y Mari is a coming of age story focusing on a tender love between two young Chicanas that struggles to find its place in their lives and in today’s world. Mosquita y Mari is Guerrero’s first feature length film– her previous work includes several short films like Pura Lengua and Viernes Girl.

Guerrero sat down with Laura from Marimacho during the 2012 Global Film Festival at the College of William & Mary to talk fashion, inspiration, and identity.

• What does “queer fashion” mean to you?

When I think about queer I think contemporary, its a term a lot of younger generations use — starting with my generation I think we really embraced the word queer. When I think about queer I think that even though queer is a label, it is a label that tries to go against being confined to this idea of what it means to be lesbian/gay/dyke/ this or that– I feel like queer can really be anything or look like anything. So queer fashion — it is what it is. Its how you feel that day… for me its like I can rock the tight little black dress one day and then I rock the Ben Davis with a tank top and a Pendleton with a cap. So I really feel like its whatever I want it to be and how I feel at that time– whatever feels right to me.

• On average, how much thought do you put into getting dressed before public appearances?

I am not in Hollywood so I can’t speak to that– but as an independent film maker its just very loose and free and whatever you want it to be. I do make conscious choices of what I want to wear, especially if I am going to be on camera.

• What do you feel most comfortable in at the beach?

Probably a one piece. That has to do with being self-conscious around my body weight. I very much identify as female, I identify as queer – my clothes are what cross over often times in terms of gender. I think that being body conscious for weight reasons and stupid social norms that we internalize– I definitely admit I have internalized a lot of that and still to this day struggle with showing my body… even though inside I want to. I want to wear the two-piece and feel good about it! But you know, its convoluted.

• What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?

What means the most to me is when people say I am authentic, that I stay true to myself…. in my work. I think that is something I learned from Cherrie Moraga, Gloria Anzaldua and all these other women…. whatever my truth is- I am honoring it and validating it. That is what I tell people with this film– it is a love story, my love story, and it as valid as anyone else’s. I want to share it.

(the film is semi-autobiographical)

• Do you have a fashion moment in your past that you would like to forget?

Oh god the 80s were good and bad! I did that whole jeans with no socks, Ked wearing phase when I was in high school….. that was just awful.

• Marimacho is….

I have this obsession with imagining the 1930s and 40s… the queer underground world of Latina women. I always envisioned that Marimacho to be smoking a cigar… wearing her pants… and demanding respect and nothing less than that. I love that attitude. I think that image always comes up to me because that is who I have always wanted to be– who I have always looked up to… that kickass woman who won’t take any crap from anyone. Self-determined, independent, passionate, strong, fierce.

 

For more information on the film and the trailer- check out mosquitaymari.com