Selena is a 1997 biopic about the life and career of Tejana singer Selena Quintanilla Perez (1971-1995). Selena was a Grammy Award-winning recording artist who was well known in the United States Mexican-American and other Latino communities, and Mexico. Image File history File links Selenacover. ... Gregory Nava publicity photo Gregory Nava, a third generation Mexican-American (born April 10, 1949 in San Diego, California) is a film director, producer and screenplay writer, of Mexican and Basque heritage. ... Moctesuma Esparza (1949-present), born in East Los Angeles, California, is a first generation Chicano producer and filmmaker. ... For the meteorologist of The Weather Channel, see The Weather Channel (United States). ... Edward James Olmos (born February 24, 1947) is an Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated American actor, of Mexican descent. ... Constance Marie (b. ... Jon Seda (born Jonathan Seda on October 14, 1970) is an American actor of Puerto Rican descent. ... Lupe Ontiveros (born September 17, 1942) is an American film and television actress. ... David Grusin (born June 26, 1934 in Littleton, Colorado) is an American composer, arranger and pianist. ... Warner Bros. ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Poster for Man on the Moon (1999), a biopic A biographical picture— often shortened to biopic— is a film that dramatizes the life of an actual person or people. ... Tejano (Spanish for Texan) or Tex-Mex[1] music is the name given to various forms of folk and popular music originating among the Hispanic-descended Tejanos of Central and South Texas. ... For the movie based on the life of the singer, see Selena (film). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Mexican Americans are citizens of the United States of Mexican ancestry. ... For the Brazilian pop singer, see Latino (singer). ...

Music industry executives believed Selena was ready to cross-over into mainstream popularity on the U.S. pop charts when she was murdered on March 31, 1995 by the president of her fan club. The hit parade is the list of songs most popular at any given time. ... is the 90th day of the year (91st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... A fan club is a group that is dedicated to a well known person, group, idea (such as history) or sometimes even an inanimate object (such as a famous building). ...

The film was directed by Oscar nominated filmmaker Gregory Nava and featured Jennifer Lopez as Selena. Her father, Abraham Quintanilla, Jr., was played by Edward James Olmos and Constance Marie played Selena's mother.^[1] Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... Gregory Nava publicity photo Gregory Nava, a third generation Mexican-American (born April 10, 1949 in San Diego, California) is a film director, producer and screenplay writer, of Mexican and Basque heritage. ... For the meteorologist of The Weather Channel, see The Weather Channel (United States). ... Edward James Olmos (born February 24, 1947) is an Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated American actor, of Mexican descent. ... Constance Marie (b. ...

The film's executive producer was Abraham Quintanilla Jr. The film is noted for being the fastest produced biopic after the death of the subject. A biographical film or biopic is a film about a particular person or group of people, based on events that actually happened. ...

Plot

The film begins at the Houston's Astrodome for her unknowing final concert, and Selena's fans are cheering and going wild. The film flashes back in time to 1961 when Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla Jr., first began the "Los Dinos" (the boys) doo-wop band. Houston redirects here. ... The Reliant Astrodome, formerly just the Astrodome, is a domed sports stadium in Houston, Texas, and is part of the Reliant Park complex. ... For the album by The Cure, see Concert (album). ... Year 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Doo-wop is a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music popular in the mid-1950s to the early 1960s in America. ...

At age ten, Selena begins her singing career with the band "Selena y Los Dinos." The band is formed with her siblings as a follow up to her father's band.

When she's older and performing in Mexico Selena gives an interview to a television reporter. Due to his experiences in the early 1960s Abraham tells his daughter that she needs to speak in perfect Spanish on-air, otherwise, Mexicans will not fully accept her as a performing artist. Selena, however, has confidence and tells her father she "can do it." In front of a group of reporters, Selena struggles with her Spanish. When she wants to say to the reporter that her experience in Mexico has been very "exciting" she instead says "excited" in English. Yet, while no harm is done, Abraham's frustration is captured when he says: The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

We have to be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans, both at the same time! It's exhausting!

Jennifer Lopez as Selena signs autographs at a Los Angeles mall.

Although she was well known in the American Latino community, not many knew her very well and this is explained when she and her friend shop at a Los Angeles mall for a dress. As Selena and her friend look for a dress they are ignored by the white sales clerk while at the same time Latino workers recognize her and draws a huge crowd. Selena is thrilled and gladly begins signing autographs for her many fans. The saleswoman, however, who seemingly snubbed Selena earlier, is dumbstruck at the attention Selena receives. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Flag Seal Nickname: City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Coordinates , Government State County California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,290. ... For the traditional meaning of the word mall, see pedestrian street or promenade. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ...

Selena then elopes with her boyfriend Chris Perez (Jon Seda), which is a huge problem because her father does not want men to interfere with her blossoming career. When they return as a newlywed couple, Abraham accepts the fact that they are in love and married. To elope, most literally, merely means to run away. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Jon Seda (born Jonathan Seda on October 14, 1970) is an American actor of Puerto Rican descent. ...

Selena opens her boutique business ("Selena Etc.") and credits her husband and Yolanda, her fan club manager (who would later be her murderer), for helping her.

The family later realizes that Yolanda is stealing money from the fan club. Selena is told and is very upset and decides to confront Yolanda.

The film details Selena's relationship with her family, her musical performances, and her romance with her boyfriend and later husband Chris Perez. It briefly deals with her murder, which is shown in a flashback scene when a white rose is thrown onto the stage while she sings, "Dreaming Of You." }} Dreaming Of You is the name of a popular Selena love song, and her signature one, written by Fran Golde and Tom Snow. ...

Background

Selena was produced with the participation of the Quintanilla family. Her father Abraham, is the executive producer of the film, and one scene featuring the Chris Perez, playing guitar for the family at home, uses closeup footage of his hands for the guitar licks. The shot was filmed specifically for the movie.^[2]

Some of Selena's recordings were used on the soundtrack.

The movie used approximately 35,000 extras, in a noted stadium scene where Selena once performed, arguably the film's centerpiece. Filming took place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, rather than the actual concert location: the Astrodome in Houston.^[3] The Alamodome is a multi-purpose facility that is primarily used as a football/basketball stadium and convention center in San Antonio, Texas, USA. The facility opened on May 15, 1993, at a cost of $186 million. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Bexar County Government  - Mayor Phil Hardberger Area  - City  412. ... The Reliant Astrodome, formerly just the Astrodome, is a domed sports stadium in Houston, Texas, and is part of the Reliant Park complex. ... Houston redirects here. ...

Controversies

During pre-production, Mexican-American activists were highly critical that Jennifer Lopez, a New York City native born to Puerto Rican parents, was selected to play Selena.^[4][5] New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ...

Exhibition

Tagline: The story of a girl who had the spirit to believe in a dream and the courage to make it come true.

The film opened in wide release on March 21, 1997 (1,850 theatres) and sales the opening weekend were $11,615,722. Selena ran for 15 weeks domestically (101 days) and eventually grossed $35,422,828 in the United States. The film sales worldwide were considerably more. At its widest release the film was shown in 1,873 screens. The production budget of the film was 20,000,000.^[6][7] is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

Critical reception

The film was generally well received by critics. Film critic Lisa Kropiewnicki said, "Jennifer Lopez delivers a breakout performance...[and] Nava's engaging script wisely mines his subject's life for humor and conflict, embracing Selena Quintanilla's passion for music."^[8]

Film critic James Berardinelli also liked the film and said "[i]t would have been easy to trivialize Selena's story, turning it into a sudsy, made-for-TV type motion picture." He also believed the acting was top notch. About Lopez's performance he said, "Jennifer Lopez is radiant as the title character, conveying the boundless energy and enthusiasm that exemplified Selena, while effectively copying not only her look, but her mannerisms. I wonder if Selena's family, upon watching this performance, felt an eerie sense of deja vu [sic]."^[9] TV redirects here. ... This article is about d vu, the psychological phenomenon. ...

Los Angeles Times film critic Kenneth Turan gave the film a mixed review. He believes the film is part of a "completely predictable Latino soap opera." Yet he wrote, "there are chunks of Selena that only a stone could resist. This movie turns out to be a celebration not only of the singer but also (as "What's Love" was for Angela Bassett) of the actress who plays her, Jennifer Lopez.^[10] This just IN !!!:paris hiltons new dog. ... Kenneth Turan is an American film critic, currently writing for the Los Angeles Times. ...

Some film critics, however, did not like how the film appears like a sanitized Selena portrait. Critic Walter Addiego considers Nava's work a worshipful biography of her. Addiego, writing for the San Francisco Examiner, did have a few enjoyable moments viewing the film but wrote, "You can't help cheering for Selena, but the good feeling is diminished by the sense that her story's been simplified and sanitized.^[11] For other uses, see Portrait (disambiguation). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The San Francisco Examiner is a daily newspaper in San Francisco, California, where it has been published continuously since the late 19th Century. ...

Currently, the film has a 82% "Fresh" rating at Rotten Tomatoes, based on twenty-two reviews.^[12] This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ...

Cast and ratings

• Jennifer Lopez as Selena Quintanilla-Pérez
• Jackie Guerra as Suzette Quintanilla
• Constance Marie as Marcela Quintanilla
• Alex Meneses as Sara
• Jon Seda as Chris Perez
• Edward James Olmos as Abraham Quintanilla, Jr.
• Jacob Vargas as A.B. Quintanilla
• Lupe Ontiveros as Yolanda Saldivar
• Pete Astudillo as Pete Astudillo, Dinos 1990s
• Rueben Gonzáles as Joe Ojeda
• Michael Lopez as the family friend.
• Rebecca (Becky) Lee Meza as young Selena
• Selena Quintanilla as Herself, Singing Voice (archive footage)

A motion picture rating system categorizes films with regard to suitability for children and/or adults in terms of issues such as sex, violence and profanity. ... British Board of Film Classification logo The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), originally British Board of Film Censors, is the organisation responsible for film and some video game classification and censorship within the United Kingdom. ... The MPAA film rating system is a system used in the United States and territories and instituted by the Motion Picture Association of America to rate a movie based on its content. ... For the meteorologist of The Weather Channel, see The Weather Channel (United States). ... Constance Marie (b. ... Alexandra Estella DeAnna Meneses (born February 12, 1965, Chicago) is an American television and film actress. ... Jon Seda (born Jonathan Seda on October 14, 1970) is an American actor of Puerto Rican descent. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Edward James Olmos (born February 24, 1947) is an Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated American actor, of Mexican descent. ... Jacob Vargas (born on August 18, 1971) is a Mexican-American actor. ... A.B. Quintanilla (born Abraham Quintanilla III, December 13, 1963) is a famous Mexican-American hip hop musician who is a native of Toppenish, Washington. ... Lupe Ontiveros (born September 17, 1942) is an American film and television actress. ... Pedro Pete Astudillo is a song writer born in Laredo, Texas. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... Selena Selena Quintanilla Perez (April 16, 1971 – March 31, 1995) was a Mexican-American singer who is considered to be one of the most popular and influential Hispanic music icons of all time. ...

Soundtrack

An original motion picture Selena soundtrack was released by EMI Latin Records on March 11, 1997. The CD contains twelve tracks including Selena singing songs heard in the film. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Selena:The Original Movie Soundtrack was recorded for the movie Selena which stars Jennifer Lopez. ... Part of EMI music company. ... is the 70th day of the year (71st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... CD may stand for: Compact Disc Canadian Forces Decoration Cash Dispenser (at least used in Japan) CD LPMud Driver Centrum-Demokraterne (Centre Democrats of Denmark) Certificate of Deposit České Dráhy (Czech Railways) Chad (NATO country code) Chalmers Datorförening (computer club of the Chalmers University of Technology) a 1960s...

Included are rare tracks, hits, and cuts like the "Disco Medley, Part II," recorded live during Selena's 1995 concert at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, also called RodeoHouston, with attendance approaching over two and a half million visitors per year, is the worlds largest livestock exhibition as well as the worlds largest rodeo event, requiring the support of sixteen thousand volunteers. ...

Not all the songs are performed by Selena.^[13]

Awards

Nominations

• Golden Globe Awards: Best Performance by an actress in a Musical or Comedy motion picture, Jennifer Lopez.
• ALMA Awards: The film was nominated for six American Latino Media Awards (ALMA) and won four.
• Grammy Awards: Best Instrumental Composition, Dave Grusin.
• MTV Movie Awards: Best Breakthrough Performance, Jennifer Lopez.

The Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and television programs, given out each year during a formal dinner. ... The Alma Awards or American Latino Media Arts Awards are distinctions awarded to Latino performers (actors, film and television directors, and musicians) who promote positive portrayals of Latinos in the entertainment field. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... David Grusin (born June 26, 1934 in Littleton, Colorado) is an American composer, arranger and pianist. ... The MTV Movie Awards is a film awards show presented annually on MTV (Music Television). ...

10th Anniversary Special Edition DVD

A 10th Anniversary DVD edition of Selena was released on September 18, 2007 by Warner Home video. The set contains the theatrical (127 minutes) and the director's cut (134 minutes) of the film. is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Extras include a Making of Selena: 10 Years Later featurette, a Queen of Tejano featurette, and nine additional scenes.^[14]

See also

• Selena (1997 Soundtrack).

Selena:The Original Movie Soundtrack was recorded for the movie Selena which stars Jennifer Lopez. ...

References

The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ... All Movie Guide is a commercial database of information about movie stars, movies and television shows. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Amazon. ...

External links

• Selena at Metacritic