America Ferrera is set to make her directorial debut in I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. The film is currently in development at Amazon MGM Studios’ Orion Pictures but was initially set for Netflix.
The film was written by Linda Yvette Chávez and is based on Erika Sánchez’s New York Times bestseller of the same name.
It’s unknown how much the film might divert from the book, but the story originally follows Julia Reyes, an outspoken, witty teen who wants to become a famous writer. She is in Chicago, and far from that are her traditional Mexican parents, who don’t understand her love of literature.
Her parents continue to compare her to her sister, Olga, who tragically passed away. Julia tries to break free from her oppressive home, uncover the truth about her sister, and, in the process, gather a deeper understanding of her family and the wounds they carry.
Ferrera is heading to the film following a busy award season, which she has spent promoting her most recent role in the global phenomenon, Barbie. She has been nominated for her first Academy Award after her brilliant performance and delivery of one of the most crucial speeches in the movie.
On top of that, Ferrera also recently starred in Dumb Money, Craig Gillespie’s recent film based on the book The Antisocial Network.
Her directorial debut sees her reunite with Chávez following their most recent collaboration on Gentefied, a Netflix original TV series created by Chávez and produced by the duo.
