Fernanda “Feru” Eguiarte, writer, creator and showrunner of La Flor más Bella, a youth series that premieres on Netflix on December 7, stated that production distinguishes by “a precious heart, which gives it a lot of identity and authenticity.” It is inspired by the teen years of the Mexican comedian Michelle Rodríguez.
Eguiarte, who recently was signed as an exclusive talent of Netflix, is a firm believer in the importance of diverse stories as her own. She declares herself as a disabled lesbian woman -she has multiple sclerosis-, an expert in Tetris, and raised in a very conservative Chilango middle class family.
She feels fortunate about her agreement with Netflix. “I was afraid – a bit like our character Mich – that I was not going to find my place in the world, because I am very different from the people who I studied with at school. This opportunity that Netflix gave me is like opening the door to an incredible universe, because it enhances my voice in an impressive way,” she said, when asked about her contract as her exclusive talent.
Eguiarte delved into this universe after the production company Campanario offered her to do the project, which includes experiencing life in Xochimilco and its popular and strong Mexican traditions. “I discovered a beautiful world with a promise of identity and freshness. A story like this could only flourish in Xochimilco,” she said about the story starring Esmeralda Soto.
She commented that the writers’ room was made up only of women, in addition to having consultants from the area. “We also had the advice of Diana Ornelas, who is 23 years old and entering the world of television,” she said, after commenting that they tried to add many other voices to the writing.
Eguiarte confessed that she has been a fan of Michelle Rodríguez for a long time, and although it is not a biopic, the series is inspired by her life. “I was very excited to work with her and in the interviews I discovered a beautiful world, with a very powerful context,” she said, after commenting that in addition to being showrunner, she wrote four episodes of the first season.
She noted that they made a great team with the crew of Campanario; the directors, Lucero Novato, and Salvador Espinoza. “We have Chava, one of the best comedy directors, and Lucero, one of the best young adult directors in Latin America. That combination was extraordinary.” The producer was Tita Lombardo, who together with Jaime Dávila and Diana Mejía-Jones de Campanario, worked creatively in an extraordinary way, according to Eguiarte.
She recognized the cast as another production values, with talents that managed to speak from the heart of each character, “the secret to reach any audience.” “It doesn’t matter if you’re in a 15-second, 25-minute, two-hour format. If you’re speaking to people from the heart, it’s very hard not to connect with you,” she finally said.
Watch the trailer of La Flor Más Bella