SHERMAN OAKS—Local award winning actress, filmmaker, and artist Isabel Cueva is ready for her close up again. Still reeling from her acclaimed short film “In the Name Of Freedom,” which won many awards last year during many of the nation’s film festivals and here in L.A., Cueva speaks with us exclusively this week and offers our readers an insight into one of Hollywood’s up and coming A-list leading ladies and all of the goals she’s set for herself for 2011.
Q-Can you tell us about “Brothers and Enemies” and what capacity you will be in this film?
A-“It’s a feature inspired by my award-winning short film ‘In The Name Of Freedom,’ and this time I will be using real American soldiers in the parts. The feature takes place mainly in Iraq, and it’s a heart-pounding drama about two enemies who team up in order to survive. I will star as the female lead, and I will produce, but the directing I’m not sure of yet. It all depends on what kind of luck the film has when we put it in the hands of the investors and distributors.”
Q-I hear you are planning on releasing a web series. Can you tell us what it’s based on?
A-“It is a comedy web series about today’s dating life, and so far the webisodes written are based on real stories, so that will make it super relatable. We will begin production in the next six to eight weeks and my hope is to sell it to HBO or one of the major cable networks.”
Q-You star in “Black Mesa.” What is this about and why did you decide it was a project you wanted to star in and produce?
A-“The writer, producer Dennis Doornbos, whom I’ve worked well with before, gave me the script and said to me ”˜If you like it, let’s do this. I want you to play the lead, opposite a male star.’ So I connected with this thriller because of the great story, and the idea of playing an archeologist. When I was a little girl, that was always a career I dreamed of following, other than the artistic. I’m fascinated by archeology, it’s history and mystery. And it’s awesome that the female lead drives the story!”
Q-How does it feel to be an award winner for your film “In The Name Of Freedom”?
A-“Honestly shocked, because I never thought a small short film would bring such honors and blessings. But the real win was when I shot it and when I completed it, because there I saw one of my dreams come true. It’s one thing to wish to do something, another to just do it! It felt really good to accomplish it, especially as it was my directorial debut.”
Q-What can we expect in 2011 in your career that we have not discussed?
A-“Well I’ve been offered a lead role opposite one of the largest names in Hollywood, but the project is in very early stages, so fingers crossed for things to happen this year. I have three major career dreams due this year, no doubt they will come true.”
