Film Industry Discrimination

Yes, it was my idea for women dressed as Frida Kahlo to picket New Line Cinema over the casting of a non-Hispanic actress in the role of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. You are correct in identifying me as “spearheading the protest” (Calendar, Aug. 2). You are inaccurate, however, in saying that “Ortelli says she places much of the blame on co-screenwriter and director Luis Valdez.” What I said was, “Several people have called Luis Valdez, have tried to meet with him. He has not returned their calls.” Your statement is an interpretation of my words.

It is not only inaccurate, but completely incorrect and irresponsible for your editorial writer to say that Ortelli “angrily attacked Luis Valdez” (“Miscast Protest,” editorial, Aug. 19). When? Where?

The Times was the only major publication that did not attend our press conference or protest on Aug. 6. Had a reporter attended, he would know the truth--that not one comment against Valdez was said during the press conference and not one single picket sign was an attack on, or even mentioned, Luis Valdez.

I had the honor to work with Valdez in “Zoot Suit” and “La Bamba” and have nothing but respect and admiration for him. Our protest is, and always has been, against the industry’s continued discrimination against Hispanics. Valdez is, in fact, a victim of that discrimination as much as we are.

To quote Daily Variety (Aug. 18): “. . . Valdez criticized New Line saying, ‘New Line would not approve my initial plans to hold nationwide auditions for an unknown Latina to play the lead.’ He had expressed frustration at compromises he has had to make as a Latino filmmaker in getting films made, and agreed with the protesters that the film industry discriminates against Hispanics in casting.”

DYANA ORTELLI

Los Angeles