Church Reaches Out to Latinos

“Romero” isn’t the only attempt by Catholic Church-sponsored media to reach the Latino community.

Franciscan Communications, the media arm of the Franciscan Order, recently premiered “Yolanda: De Nuevo” (A New Beginning), a modest 30-minute program made for television and a possible series pilot. Despite about 40 years of programs like “The Hour of Saint Francis,” this is the Franciscan’s first film directed especially to Latino Catholics.

“We’re trying to reach the Hispanic community and television seems to be the best way,” said Martina Ayala, the film’s producer, to an audience at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences theater where “Yolanda” was screened.

“There isn’t anything on Spanish-language TV that speaks directly to these people or in the U.S.,” Ayala said.

The film focuses on Yolanda, an unwed mother, whose father’s wrath forces her to leave her native Mexico and illegally come to the United States with her son to start a new life with the help of the church. It features a Latino cast, including Kamala Lopez (“Born in East L.A.”) in the title role and Lupe Ontiveros (“El Norte” and the current “Roosters” at Los Angeles Theatre Center), as well as director-writer Severo Perez (producer of American Playhouse’s “Seguin”).