America Ferrera’s directorial debut, “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” based on Erika Sánchez’s bestselling novel of the same name, is in development at Amazon MGM Studios’ Orion Pictures. It was previously set up at Netflix, which is no longer attached to the film.
“Flamin’ Hot” screenwriter Linda Yvette Chávez wrote the script, which follows Julia Reyes, a teen with dreams of becoming a famous writer and leaving her traditional Mexican immigrant parents in Chicago. They wish she was more like her sister Olga, now eternally perfect since her tragic death. As Julia seeks to break free of her oppressive home, she tries to uncover her sister’s truth, and in the process gains a deep understanding of the wounds her family carries.
Producers includeDoreen Wilcox Little, Macro Film Studios’ Charles D. King and Poppy Hanks, Aevitas Creative Management’s David Kuhn, and Anonymous Content. Erika Sánchez and Macro Film Studios Greta Talia Fuentes will executive produce the picture.
Ferrera has previously directed episodes of “Superstore,” the NBC workplace comedy that she also produced and starred in, but the film will mark her first time directing a feature movie. Her other notable acting credits include “Real Women Have Curves,” “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” and “Barbie,” for which she is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Ferrera is represented by CAA, ID, and Peikoff & Mahan.
Chávez is represented by The Mission Entertainment, WME, and Del Shaw;Sánchezis represented by The Gersh Agency, Trellis Literary Management, and Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
The news was first reported by Deadline.
