NEW YORK, NY - August 31, 2015 – (HISPANICIZE WIRE) - The inspiring story and life of Hollywood’s first Dominican actress and one of the first Latina screen sirens during the Golden Era of Cinema, Maria Montez, is featured in the celebrated biopic Maria Montez, The Movie, distributed by ProyectoNext Films. After a successful release in the Dominican Republic, the film will now make its first U.S. debut with a limited release as of October 2nd in select theaters throughout New York City and New Jersey.

Making her debut as a producer on Maria Montez, The Movie, lead actress Celines Toribio identifies strongly with Montez’s cultural heritage (both being born in the Dominican Republic) as well as Montez' vision and tenacity to succeed. “As a Dominican woman, it was important for me to pay tribute to such a courageous woman (Maria), who like myself immigrated to the United States and risked it all to follow her dreams,” said Celines Toribio. “She is an inspiration to all of us in the industry, and I only hope to continue her footsteps and honor her legacy by placing our culture on the big screen internationally.”

As an actress Toribio has held roles in Trópico de Sangre with Michelle Rodriguez, Bandits with Vin Diesel and America with Edward James Olmos. Previously, she hosted television and radio shows for important networks such as Univision and ESPN Deportes, among others. In 2008, she was named one of People En Español’s 50 Most Beautiful. As an avid member of the film community, Toribio is a large supporter and advocate of the booming film industry in the Dominican Republic, and is currently working on additional film projects.

Maria Montez, The Movie will make its U.S. debut as of October 2nd at AMC Empire 25 (Times Square - 234 W 42nd St, NYC), AMC Loews Jersey Gardens (The Mills at Jersey Gardens, NJ), and Showcase Cinemas Concourse Plaza Multiplex Cinemas (214 E 161st St, Bronx, NYC). For show times, visit amctheatres.com/movies/maria-montez-the-movie or showcasecinemas.com/movie/maria-montez-maria-montez-la-pelicula.

“I am excited to collaborate with Celines Toribio and her team on distributing this historic film to U.S. audiences through our partnership with AMC Theatres and National Amusements. Since its premiere in the Dominican Republic early this year, the film has played at the Guadalajara Film Festival (2015), the San Diego Latino Film Festival (2015), Hispanicize (2015), and the American Film Market (2014).” said Calixto Chinchilla, Director of ProyectoNext Films.

About Maria Montez, The Movie
Born in the Dominican Republic, Maria (Celines Toribio), dared to dream beyond the confines of the world she knew, only to emerge as Hollywood's Queen of Technicolor. The film takes us on a journey from her small town of Barahona in the Dominican Republic to Hollywood, California, up until her sudden death in Suresnes, France. Born to Isidoro Gracia (Ginés García Millán), and Teresa Vidal (Maridalia Hernández), the young Maria (Paula Sanchez Ferry) displayed a flair and talent for performing and acting, and spent her days dreaming about her future life in Hollywood. In 1939, she arrived in New York to make her dreams come true, and along the way faced emotional and financial adversity. With the help of her manager, Louis Schurr (Cuquin Victoria), and her unyielding determination to succeed, Maria went on to become the first Dominican actress to have a multi-picture studio contract and grace the silver screen of Hollywood. Movies such as Ali Baba & The Forty Thieves and Arabian Nights stamped her face in the tabloids and became a favorite of many WWII soldiers. Prior to her mysterious death in 1951, at the young age of 39, Maria accomplished an impressive stable of work, which included more than 26 films in Europe and the United States.

Maria Montez, The Movie is directed by Vicente Peñarrocha, and produced by Esteban Martin, Teresa Fernandez Cuesta, Victor Luciano and Carla Jovine, on behalf of Esencia Films. The executive producer is Giancarlo Chersich, and written by Alejandro Andujar and Marcela Fuentes-Berain.

The film was made possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Dominican Republic, Orange Dominicana, Universal de Seguros, BHDLeón Bank, Additional sponsorship provided by the Direccion General de Cine, La Sirena, Domino’s Pizza, Funglode, BanReservas, Budget Rent-A-Car, Agua Planeta Azul, and Delta Airlines.

For trailers and more information on Maria Montez, The Movie please visit
www.MariaMontezTheMovie.com or connect with us via social media through Facebook at Facebook.com/mariamontezthemovie; Instagram: @mariamontezthemovie; Twitter: @MMontezTheMovie; and YouTube: /EsenciaFilmsRD.