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9 Effective Ways to Stay Mentally Healthy

4/23/2020

3 Comments

 
Life isn’t always easy. While there are times when it feels like we’re on top of the world, at others, it can feel as if we're at the bottom of a ditch. And the thing about these low moments is that they can come from nowhere; even if everything seems to be well in our lives, it’s not always possible to be in a cheery mood. The first thing is to recognize that it’s normal to feel this way, and that there are many other people in the same position. The one upside of the prevalence of mental health conditions is that researchers have learned a lot about the things we can do to get ourselves in a mentally healthy state of mind. 

We take a look at a few of these  solutions below.

Listen To Yourself
It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of daily life. However, it’s important to avoid getting too swept up in all that life throws at us. From time to time, we need to listen to ourselves and take stock of what we need. For example, by doing this, you might learn that you’re beginning to feel a little overwhelmed. At which point, you’ll know that you need to slow down and look after yourself a little. In your quest for positive mental health, simply listening to yourself can be your first line of defense. 

Run It Out
We can sometimes find ourselves in negative circles that we have to escape from. If we’re in a negative state of mind, then sitting in a room, while just fine if we’re doing so with intention, may end up doing more harm than good. One of the quickest and most effective ways to nudge your mental health in the right direction is to put on some running shoes and go for a long jog. This will help to get you out of your head a little, and, more importantly, it’ll release feel-good chemicals called endorphins into your mind. These are what cause the “runner’s high” after you’ve finished. 

Eating Well
Ever heard of the saying, you are what you eat? While it’s fine to indulge in some “not good for you” foods from time to time, as a general rule, you’ll want to ensure that you’re eating healthy. In order to maintain positive mental health, it’s important that your body is getting all of the minerals and nutrients it needs to be at its best. Many people have some misconceptions about eating well, the chief one being that it takes a lot of time. This is not the case! Indeed, there are extremely healthy meals that you can make in around twenty minutes or less. Also, the ingredients don’t have to be expensive; in many cases, they’re cheaper than unhealthy options. 

Limit the Vices
While things like alcohol are presented as socially acceptable, it is worth thinking about your own alcohol intake, and deciding for yourself if it’s a good thing for you or not. 
Alcohol is depressive, and while you won’t feel it just by having one glass of wine, if you’re drinking slightly more than you should on a regular basis, then you might find that you lose a little bit of your zest for life. You don’t have to commit to never having another drink again; instead, take a look at simply giving it up for a few weeks or so. You might be surprised at just how good you feel after a couple of weeks. 
​
Cut Out Toxic People
It’s bad enough when we’re our own worst enemy, but it’s even worse when we have an enemy who presents themselves as a friend. If you have someone in your life who you think probably isn’t as good for you as you previously thought, then look at cutting them out of your life. The people we surround ourselves with can have a huge impact on our state of mind. If someone is belittling you or making you feel bad about yourself, it’s time to move on.

Remember You Have Options
Sometimes, it’s our circumstances that contribute to poor mental health. If we feel like we’re trapped in a situation that we can’t get out of, then it won’t be long before your state of mind begins to dip into negative territory. It’s really important to remember that, whatever you’re going through, there will be options that will help you overcome the issue at hand. For example, there are organizations that can help get you get out of debt. You can even find at home abortions without pills. It’s normal to feel like the weight of our circumstances is weighing us down, but it’s always possible to find a path towards better ground.

Talk With Others
Communication is probably the best tool we have when it comes to overcoming our mental health issues. Very often, you’ll find that just by talking about what you’re going through with another person can effectively help reduce your stress and current issue. You might learn that it’s not as big a problem as you thought it was, for example. Or you might discover that the person you’re talking with has gone through the exact same issue as you, and has useful advice  you can follow.
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Into Nature
Nature is amazing; it’s just that most of us live in cities, where nature is limited or non-existent. It really is worthwhile looking at taking regular trips into the outdoors, since studies have shown that just fifteen minutes of nature is enough to give our brain a boost. And if you spend two hours in nature each week, you’ll significantly boost happiness and reduce your anxiety levels, too.

Do Something For Others
Finally, remember that sometimes, we have to avoid digging ourselves into a negative state of mind. One of the best ways to do this is to do something for others. Studies have shown that volunteering and random acts of kindness can have a tremendous effect on our confidence, self-worth, and happiness levels, so look at making it part of your schedule.

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By Iconic Chica Mag Editors

3 Comments

'Live', a Poem of Hope

2/5/2020

0 Comments

 
Think of the butterfly whose name is Painted Lady. She lives a short and colorful life. Listen to our poem, Live. 

Remember, life will be filled of ups and downs. While some lows are harder than others, one thing is for sure, you can and you will make it through.

We see you. We hear you. We get you. You are not alone. 

by IC Mag Editors
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Introducing Liz Diaz (Warning: Disturbing and Not for Everyone)

8/18/2019

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Mysteries of Liz Diaz

​INTRODUCTION

One day I woke up and decided I needed a change. So I moved. I grabbed my car, my savings and left. I got a job as an assistant at a finance firm. I left after three months. It was only a matter of time before they found out I never really memorized the times table. The job helped me find an apartment. It was enough to show my landlord there was some stability. But I wasn't stable. Mentally I never was. I'd always been depressive and suicidal. I contemplated the thought of suicide constantly. I still do, but not as much and not as real. Now I'm an adult so I'm stuck thinking about the consequences of suicide, especially to those who love me. Fun fact, my therapist has a theory about those thoughts. She says, because my mind is so messy, the thought of suicide brings me peace. She's not wrong. I did plan my death a few times. The most vivid memory is with my high school best friend, who by the way is winning at life. We were sick of the world, of the hypocrisy, of the people around us, the troubles. Imagine that. We were just teenagers and were already sucked up by how messed up this world can be. And Donald Trump wasn't even our president. 
 
We planned to cut the brakes of the car and drive through a road that lived up to its name, death road. I'm not even making this up. It had only two lanes, both going in the opposite direction. People always crashed on that road. I remember ten minutes of silence at our school on the regular. That could have been my best friend and I. Cassandra, that's her name. She picked me up at my parents and off we went. She was so peaceful and ready to die. I, on the other hand, struggled with the idea. We hadn't cut the cables yet. I don't even know if she knew how to cut the cables. I sure as hell didn't. As we approached death road, I decided it wasn't the right time for us. "Maybe it's not a good idea to do this today. Why don't we just go to the party?", I said. To the party, we went. End of that story. Later she moved away with her family to Colombia. I was heartbroken for a while. I graduated from high school and started college.​
​​The suicide thoughts followed. I'd been doing the pills thing for a while. I'm probably messed up inside from taking more than the suggested dose. One day I woke up just wanting to die. I remember my eyes red and swollen from all the crying. I'd found these expired small gel capsules. I took the whole bottle. Shortly after, a tingle rushed from my feet up to my throat. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't speak. I was going to die. Suddenly, it was all too real. I didn't want to die. I wasn't ready. I couldn't leave my family. What if there was something better? How would I ever find out if I died at that moment in time? I had to stop this. I ran to the bathroom and forced out as much as I could. I vomited. I could breathe a little. I called a friend I'd met in college. She rushed me to the emergency room. By the time we got there, I was feeling a lot better. So good that as the nurse was distracted recording my info, I fled. In my mind, they would never know what brought me to that hospital. Even better, my parents would never find out. How ignorant of me.

Days later, there was a bill on the table, already opened. “What’s this?” mom asked. I pretended I had no idea. She knew. Both my parents knew I attempted suicide. Mom eventually took me to see a therapist. The therapist asked if I'd ever tried killing myself. I told him, “If I say yes, you're gonna lock me up.” He nodded, “I can't tell you that.” So, I lied. I told him no. Then, we went for a walk around the mental hospital. As we toured the facility, I saw people in hospital gowns and a part of me felt like I belonged there, but I wasn't willing to find out. 

I never tried to kill myself again. The thought faded for a while, but then I got hurt. People, bad decisions, terrible friendships. They were constant contributors to my redeveloping suicidal thoughts. This time, they were more concrete. It was scarier because I didn't fear it as I did before. I was amused by it. I was just afraid of the act itself. How would I do it? I tried the pills. It was painful. Not as easy as I thought it would be. Jumping off a bridge or a building didn't guarantee death, nor did a gun. That for me was never an option, though. I didn't like guns. I find them to be cowardice. The only option left was hanging myself. It didn't seem so difficult. Everyone was doing it. Celebrity police reports were descriptive of every detail. Even the feces. That's right… poop. People shit themselves in their last breath. I don't know if it's from fear or just the pressure in the body. I haven't bothered to look it up. Here's my theory. You know when you have to go to the bathroom and when you finally do, you feel free? It feels like a weight has been lifted, literally. That’s relief, the not having to worry about life and all its excruciating occurrences. If my theory is correct, that relief only works for the person committing suicide. But again that feeling. The one I had when I was younger. What if things get better? How will I ever know? I won't. I never would because I'd be robbing myself of finding out. I'd be robbing myself of a future. Or maybe even getting hit by a tree or struck by lightning. Wouldn't that be ironic? I sure as heck wouldn't wanna miss that laugh. 

I choose to live. Besides, things do get interesting. You’ll see.

Liz Diaz is a fictional character created by Jessica G. Ferrer. Any similarities to real life are coincidental. 

If  you or someone you know is struggling, seek help. You are not alone. 

SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357) SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

Listen to Mysteries of Liz Diaz: Introduction


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​Story Created and Written by Jessica G. Ferrer
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'Pseudo'

8/13/2019

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​'Pseudo'

From iBook, 'Words, Compilated',


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It wasn't real 
Your smiles and conversations
I was the giver
You were the taker
​
​
That strength, courage, decisions unquestioned 
I followed you with admiration
 
Desire
 
Qualities I’d been searching to acquire
You had the answer
I invited you in 
I chose you
 
The surface I created, alluring
Beneath was undeniable 
Gauze peeled off:
Insecurities, envy, competition
Product of my own delusion
To live in a world ignorant of egoism 
Fiction of my creation 
 
All in my mind
How foolish was I

Flipped over
Disenchanted
Dark, dry, and sour 
I see your true colors.
Excerpt From: Jessica G. Ferrer. “Words, Compilated.” Jessica Gonzalez Ferrer, 2019. Apple Books. Download the free iBook here: https://books.apple.com/us/book/words-compilated/id1458905696

By IC Editors
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'Undefeated'

8/6/2019

1 Comment

 

From the iBook, 'Words, Complilated'


Undefeated

I see the way you look at me
Judging my anxiety
I’ll look down to catch my breath
I look up and you away
Lock myself behind closed doors
but it’s hard… even then
 
You think I can control it
And yes, some days I do
Sometimes I struggle just to see the day through
 
Calling out for help?
I don’t think I can
I fear no one will ever understand
 
“How are you? How’s it going?”
Do you really care?
 
With this ongoing rapid life
I feel anguish, despair

​​I thought about ending it
Analyzed every situation
After careful contemplation
I can’t let you win”

Ending one’s life, isn't that a sin?
Now I go therapy
Pay someone to listen
Pop a pill if I must
Natural ones, the chemicals I don’t trust
 
This obscure path I keep walking on
The thoughts, they’re heavy
I run, but they’re still with me
I keep fighting it
Eventually they fade
They come back
Old and new, it’s like that one thing from the past
You choose to move forward, something happens
For a moment, you’re forced to look back
 
Hold on
This is only temporary
It will pass
 
Breathe, breathe
Choose to stay
One more day, stay
One more day, stay
 
Stay.
​Excerpt From: Jessica G. Ferrer. “Words, Compilated.” Jessica Gonzalez Ferrer, 2019. Apple Books. Dowload your free copy: https://books.apple.com/us/book/words-compilated/id1458905696
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​Jessica G. Ferrer
​writer|actor, jessicagferrer.com
1 Comment

ICONIC CHICA STORIES: LESLIE & JENNA

7/20/2017

2 Comments

 

IN A WORLD WHERE THERE IS HATE, THERE IS ALSO LOVE. SO LOVE. LOVE MORE.

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Image by: Abimael Linares
Jenna was excited to see her friend Leslie. It had been a few days of busy work, but their schedules finally synced. They went out to eat at a super chic restaurant they'd been wanting to try. After catching up on Leslie's life, it was Jenna's turn. Jenna wasn't much about bragging or yelling out her achievements, but this was Leslie, and she knew friends love to hear good news. At least, that's how Jenna feels about her friends and the people she loves dearly.
Jenna sums it up and tells Leslie about this new opportunity that was completely unexpected. Leslie reacts with little to no excitement. "Aw, that's great." Jenna doesn't realize the indifference in Leslie's voice. She's oblivious to her reaction.
Weeks later, Jenna has some girlfriends over for a fun night of baking and movies. Leslie is invited of course. One of the girls, who Leslie has gotten to know through these meet ups with Jenna, shares some really great news about her company. Jenna is thrilled along with the others and opens up a bottle of champagne. "Congrats! Another reason to celebrate you!" The girls agree and join in the excitement and celebrate. Leslie is thrilled with excitement and pride. She tells Jenna's friend, "I'm so proud of you. You work hard. You deserve this." It was at this moment that Jenna saw Leslie in a different way. The real way.

The next few days, she replayed moments between the two (Jenna and Leslie) where the focus was never on Jenna, but always on Leslie. The dates with friends seemed more convenient and self-serving to Leslie. Though, she never really paid attention. She overlooked all the signs. She saw the Leslie she wanted to see instead of the woman she really was. 


Jenna said nothing. She simply detached herself from Leslie and her world. She let her have what she had already taken. Jenna's world was now Leslie-less. But, Jenna took something very valuable with her thanks to Leslie. And that is the ability to see people for who they are when they tell you the first time, and the second time, and the third. 
​

Most of us are familiar with the famous quote by Maya Angelou, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." Jenna knew this quote to be true, by experience. ​
Today Jenna has some really great friends who love her dearly and don't take her for granted.

Here's to living in a world where women support one another.
Let us leave envy and jealousy behind!
It does not serve anyone, but rather
​detaches us from goodness and a world of positivity and possibility. 

Let us love more! 
Share if you believe. Thank you for your support. We wish you kindness, love, and joy. 
#IconicChicaMag

by Liz Diaz
2 Comments

Everything You Need for A Fun Girls Night Out

7/18/2017

1 Comment

 
Sometimes we need a break from the constant noise of being a person - so we seek more noise from other places instead. To be relaxed, happy and moderately successful, is all about finding the right balance between work and play, and who better to find this balance with than your best gal pals?
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Mix it up a bit and do something else this weekend than hitting the usual bar; here is a handful of fun ideas to give you energy for the week ahead.

Find Fun Free Events
When you’d like to be out and about, but your wallet says no, search the web for everything free that you can do together. That’s the great thing about finding stuff to do in the city with your friends - you’ll have fun no matter what you do. Make a list of everything free you’d like to do and give everyone a chance to pick something. Most likely, you won’t have time to do everything, so select a few main options and some alternative ones.

Some cities offer tourist attractions free of charge once a year to the residents of the city, and this is too good an offer to not take advantage of. Gather your group and make it a girls-day-out when your man opts out of visiting reptile parks or those dusty museums only you and your best friends still find interesting. Roam the city in peace and round it all off by cooking dinner together in the evening; it’s so cheap and a lot of fun.

When you have a bit of extra money to treat yourself but would like to have a bit left at the end of the night, try to mix up the cost-effective options with more expensive alternatives. Enjoy a dinner at home for free and look at a limo service here to arrive in style like never before.
Wine or Beer Tasting
The best of friends know how to save money together. If you all like to have a drink or two but prefer to keep it classy, say no to the expensive wine tasting tours and host one at home instead. Tell each one to bring a bottle with or hit the shop and pick up a few cheap-ish ones. The point is to get through the tasting and give each type of wine a set of stars or a review, trying to stay as critical with the last bottle as you were with the first.

You can adjust this idea to suit any taste; my girlfriends are into beer and use Untappd to rate different types for fun. Just remember to adjust the amount of tasting to what types of beverage you’re rating; while we drink a bottle of beer before rating it, it won’t quite work as well if you’d like to host a whiskey tasting party. Have a look at these glasses, by the way, to add to your collection before the girls night out.

You’ll have a great time when you do something together that you all enjoy - and what’s better than spending time with your best friends? What you enjoy doing varies from group to group and there’s certain things you just have a lot more fun doing with your girlfriends than anyone else. 

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by Iconic Chica Contributors

1 Comment

REMEMBERING A GREAT ICON, FRANCINE YORK

7/13/2017

8 Comments

 
At a time where superheroes are finding a balance in the Fe-Male scale, we can't help but look back. Specifically, at a woman who was part of 1966's Batman. Described by her friend as immaculate and glamorous. Just by appreciating her photo, we know it to be a fact. 

Smart, funny, beautiful, and talented are some of the characteristics that describe the late Francine York. A woman, who didn't allow pain or sickness to get in the way of her funny and extraordinary self. 
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If you don't have a good sense of self-esteem and self-image, and you don't know who you really are, and you don't trust yourself and don't like yourself ... It can be a serious problem.
-FRANCINE YORK

A FRIEND OF YORK SHARES INSIGHT...

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Photo by ASH GUPTA
Erin Gavin (image, left) who was a friend of Francine tells us the beautiful soul that was York. While the two didn't get a chance to work on a film together, Gavin tells us "she mentored me."  Undoubtedly the two have more than friendship in common, they are both bold, strong females whose talent transcends via the screen. The two brought Marilyn Monroe back to life in their films Marilyn Alive and Behind Bars (1992, Francine York) and most recently, Marylin: The Last Investigation (2016, Erin Gavin). York "was able to help me with the voice and some of her mannerisms off screen."
​

Erin answered some of our questions about the unforgettable, glamourous and ICONIC CHICA that was Francine York. 

Q&A:

What are some characteristics you remember dearly of her? 
Always immaculate and very glamorous!

What was your friendship like?
Lovely. She mentored me. Giving me guidance with the do's and don'ts of Hollywood. 

What did she pass on to you as an actress? 
She gave me lots of tips. Not so much a teaching method, but tips about Marilyn. She did meet her [Marilyn] and was able to help me with the voice and some of her mannerisms off screen.

What about her did you find most appealing? 
I loved her drive to the very end! She was the ultimate Hollywood glam! She was also very funny and that never changed, even when she was sick. 

Any stories you hold of the two of you?
We were at our mutual friend Pepper Jay's birthday and sang happy birthday to her together as Marilyn. 

Would you agree she enjoyed playing the villain, given that many memorable roles she plays the villainess? 
Oh yes, she loved that role! Fun! She didn't say too much about it, but I know she loved it.

If you could describe her in one word, what would you say? 
Glamorous. A wonderful Hollywood actress and a dear friend to many.
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Photo by Justin Kahn
A Hollywood star who left us her mark. Francine York worked with many talents, including Elvis Presley (Tickle Me, 1965), Marlon Brando (Bedtime Story, 1964), and Nicholas Cage (The Family Man, 2000), just to name a few. Talk about being a woman in a "man’s" world!
​
Film wasn't her only success. As we mentioned earlier, she played Lydia Limpet in TV’s Batman of 1966. She also worked in Bewitched (1964), Mission: Impossible (1966), and The King of Queens (1998). She didn't stop there! She also took her culinary skills and nutrition expertise to health magazines. Rumor has it, she was one of Hollywood’s leading hostesses, cooking for celebrities like Clint Eastwood and Glenn Ford.

Francine York closed the curtains on January of 2017. Her films and glamour will live forever. 

by Jessica Gonzalez Ferrer
8 Comments

PLANNED PARENTHOOD FACES 'DEFUNDING'  FRIENDS OF MISSOURI ASK FOR YOUR HELP

6/23/2017

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​OVER 7,000 PEOPLE IN MISSOURI COULD LOSE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS

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Image Source: PlannedParenthooAction.org (click image to be directed)

Missouri is facing a “defunding” of Planned Parenthood. What does this mean? Low-income patients, both old and new, who rely on Medicaid could lose access to hundreds of providers across the state. 
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Image Source: PlannedParenthooAction.org (click image to be directed)
According to PlannedParenthoodAction.Org, 
“Planned Parenthood in Missouri provides
high-quality, affordable health care and education to 50,000 women, men, and young people each year.” 
​
Those who receive any preventive care, such as  birth control, cancer screenings, annual exams, and STI testing and treatments, will be left with nowhere to go if this measure becomes law. 

How Can I Help Protect Access to Family Planning and Women's Health Care in the Budget?

Ask senators to stand for planned parenthood and against any defunding of Planned Parenthood. ​​
How do I find my senator? 
1.Follow the link >https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact/. 
2.Choose your state from the drop down menu. 
3.Click on contact link, below senator’s name and info. 
Here you'll be directed to an email form or contact form.

You can write a letter.
Here is how to address it:     

The Honorable (Name of Senator)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
This information is directly from the United States Senate site. 

You can call directly to the U.S. Capitol and will be directed to your senator(s) office. 
U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. 
*All of this information has been verified.
You can also go directly to IStandWithPP.org/call and be connected directly.
Provided in their site is a script (see image below), which you can use as a guide or inspiration to submit your letter and/or email. 
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#IStandwithPP

by Iconic Chica Editors
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STRONG OPENING FOR SATIRICAL COMEDY 'BEATRIZ AT DINNER'

6/15/2017

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Let us celebrate another release with strong female characters! 
Beatriz At Dinner, starring Salma Hayek, will be available nationwide! ​

Roadside Attractions had its strongest opening of the year with Miguel Arteta's and Mike White's satirical comedy Beatriz at Dinner.   On five NY and LA screens the film grossed an estimated $150,160 for an estimated PSA of $30,032, and notably placed #1 at The Landmark in LA.    

Beatriz garnered fantastic reviews since its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, including  career-best accolades for star Salma Hayek in the title role. The film is drawing a mix of audiences, both younger and older, and both Latino and non-Latino.  Roadside expects a very strong Sunday box office in line with the performance of films appealing to a significant Latino audience.
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While promoting the film, both Hayek and Arteta did an entire complement of news shows, where the story of Beatriz as an immigrant in LA had particular resonance.  Mike White's script and Miguel Arteta's acute direction have captured the current cultural moment and audiences are responding.  

The filmmakers, Hayek, Lithgow and the entire cast supported the film extensively in traditional and digital media, and their social media support throughout the campaign elevated the trailer to more than 25million views on Beatriz's Facebook page alone, a historical high for any Roadside release.  

The film expands in exclusive runs in the top 25 markets on June 16 and nationwide on June 23.

by Iconic Chica Editors
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