Paloma Suau
Encyclopedia
Paloma Suau is a Spanish–Puerto Rican
film and video director, writer, editor and actress. Suau's father, Gabriel Suau, is a Spaniard who immigrated to Puerto Rico
, where he became a well known television figure. Her mother is Camille Carrion, a well known Puerto Rican actress. Suau's second cousin is Richard Carrión
, president of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico.
, a famous Puerto Rican singer who would become like a father to Paloma Suau.
Suau grew up in the entertainment business, befriending people like Tony Croatto
and other industry veterans before she had become a teenager. Although Glenn Monroig and Camille Carrion's long romantic relationship led Monroig and Suau to have a father and daughter-like relationship, she was never afar from her father Gabriel, who kept an interest on his daughter's life as she was becoming an adult.
Paloma Suau expressed interest in becoming an actress and director since she was a small girl; her dreams of being a director, however, were more evident than her dreams of being an actress, as she always mentioned wanting to direct when interviewed in Puerto Rican show business magazines and television shows.
Her debut as a director came on a Christmas
video produced by Banco Popular, 2000's "Guitarra Mia" ("My Guitar"), where she also debuted as a screenwriter and editor. The decision to make her director of this video proved controversial: Banco Popular had been producing a series of Christmas music videos for the Puerto Rico music market since 1998, and "Guitarra Mia" was Suau's first behind the camera directing opportunity. Since her second cousin is president of Banco Popular, many among the Puerto Rican public suspected she was chosen over other directors due to favoritism. After seeing the quality of her work, this idea remains. Alas, her creative talents have given the Banco Popular programs a depth and quality that has made them possibly more documentaries than the "variety shows" they used to be.
Suau followed that production with 2001's "Raices
" ("Roots"). In 2002, she was in charge of the filming of "Encuentro
" ("Meeting"). In 2003, Suau filmed "Ocho Puertas" ("Eight Doors"), which was followed by 2004's "En mi Pais" ("In my Country").
"En mi Pais" became one of Suau's largest works, as she traveled to Puerto Rico's southern area for about two months in order to produce a video where the influence of Plena
music in Puerto Rico was shown. In addition, she hired Mexican
singer Alejandro Fernández
to participate in the video. Suau had a spectacular debut as an actress in "En mi Pais", playing a dancer.
Suau decided to pay homage to the Three Wise Men, traditional Christmas figures among Latin Americans, on the 2005 version of Banco Popular's Christmas special. Not very long after she had participated in the funeral of long-time friend Tony Croatto, Suau set on filming "Queridos Reyes Magos" ("Dear Wise Men"), which was released on Puerto Rican television on December of that year, before going on sale as a video, CD and DVD
, like the eight previous versions of the musical special.
Suau traveled across Puerto Rico to record "Queridos Reyes Magos", filming in places as far as Guaynabo
, to the island's north, and Guayama
, to the island's south. Colombia
n singing superstar Juanes
was among the stars Suau hired for the 2005 version of Banco Popular's Christmas musical.
Apart from Alejandro Fernández and Juanes, Paloma Suau has directed many Puerto Rican singers, such as José Feliciano
, Manny Manuel
and Andy Montañez
. Tony Croatto, who lived many years in Puerto Rico but was actually Italian, also sang on a number of Suau's productions before his passing.
Paloma Suau has revealed plans to film a movie about a Dominican Republic
immigrant to Puerto Rico during 2006.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
film and video director, writer, editor and actress. Suau's father, Gabriel Suau, is a Spaniard who immigrated to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, where he became a well known television figure. Her mother is Camille Carrion, a well known Puerto Rican actress. Suau's second cousin is Richard Carrión
Richard Carrion
Richard L. Carrion Rexach is the current Chairman and CEO of Popular, Inc., parent company of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, Banco Popular North America and E-Loan.-Early life:...
, president of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico.
Biography
Paloma Suau's parents divorced when she was still a young girl. Her mother later met Glenn MonroigGlenn Monroig
Glenn Monroig , is a composer, guitarist, and singer of various types of music styles, such as salsa, boleros and rumba. He is credited with having recorded the first rap song in Spanish.-Early years:...
, a famous Puerto Rican singer who would become like a father to Paloma Suau.
Suau grew up in the entertainment business, befriending people like Tony Croatto
Tony Croatto
Hermes Davide Fastino Croatto Martinis, better known as Tony Croatto was an Italian singer and composer best known for his interpretations of Puerto Rican folk music. He was also a television presenter.-Biography:Born in Attimis, a comune in the province of Udine, Italy...
and other industry veterans before she had become a teenager. Although Glenn Monroig and Camille Carrion's long romantic relationship led Monroig and Suau to have a father and daughter-like relationship, she was never afar from her father Gabriel, who kept an interest on his daughter's life as she was becoming an adult.
Paloma Suau expressed interest in becoming an actress and director since she was a small girl; her dreams of being a director, however, were more evident than her dreams of being an actress, as she always mentioned wanting to direct when interviewed in Puerto Rican show business magazines and television shows.
Her debut as a director came on a Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
video produced by Banco Popular, 2000's "Guitarra Mia" ("My Guitar"), where she also debuted as a screenwriter and editor. The decision to make her director of this video proved controversial: Banco Popular had been producing a series of Christmas music videos for the Puerto Rico music market since 1998, and "Guitarra Mia" was Suau's first behind the camera directing opportunity. Since her second cousin is president of Banco Popular, many among the Puerto Rican public suspected she was chosen over other directors due to favoritism. After seeing the quality of her work, this idea remains. Alas, her creative talents have given the Banco Popular programs a depth and quality that has made them possibly more documentaries than the "variety shows" they used to be.
Suau followed that production with 2001's "Raices
Raíces
Raíces may refer to:* Raíces , a composition for symphony wind orchestra by Valencian composer Juan J. Colomer* Raíces , 1989* Raíces , 2008...
" ("Roots"). In 2002, she was in charge of the filming of "Encuentro
Encuentro
Encuentro is an Argentine television channel belonging to the Argentine Ministry of Education. It began broadcasting in 2007 through cable television operators in the country. It airs as an independent channel and also as a programing block on Canal 7 from Argentina....
" ("Meeting"). In 2003, Suau filmed "Ocho Puertas" ("Eight Doors"), which was followed by 2004's "En mi Pais" ("In my Country").
"En mi Pais" became one of Suau's largest works, as she traveled to Puerto Rico's southern area for about two months in order to produce a video where the influence of Plena
Plena
Plena is a folkloric genre native to Puerto Rico. Its creation was influenced by African and Spanish music.-History:The music is generally folkloric. The music's beat and rhythm are usually played using hand drums called panderetas, but also known as panderos or pleneras. The music is accompanied...
music in Puerto Rico was shown. In addition, she hired Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
singer Alejandro Fernández
Alejandro Fernández
Alejandro Fernández is a Mexican singer. Nicknamed as "El Potrillo" by the media and his fans, he has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Alejandro is the son of the ranchera singer Vicente Fernández. He originally specialized in traditional, earthy forms of Mexican folk music, such as...
to participate in the video. Suau had a spectacular debut as an actress in "En mi Pais", playing a dancer.
Suau decided to pay homage to the Three Wise Men, traditional Christmas figures among Latin Americans, on the 2005 version of Banco Popular's Christmas special. Not very long after she had participated in the funeral of long-time friend Tony Croatto, Suau set on filming "Queridos Reyes Magos" ("Dear Wise Men"), which was released on Puerto Rican television on December of that year, before going on sale as a video, CD and DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, like the eight previous versions of the musical special.
Suau traveled across Puerto Rico to record "Queridos Reyes Magos", filming in places as far as Guaynabo
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico
Guaynabo is a municipality in the northern part of Puerto Rico, located in the northern coast of the island, north of Aguas Buenas; south of Cataño; east of Bayamón; and west of San Juan...
, to the island's north, and Guayama
Guayama, Puerto Rico
Guayama is a municipality of Puerto Rico founded on January 29, 1736 and located on the Southern Coastal Valley region, bordering the Caribbean, south of Cayey; east of Salinas; and west of Patillas and Arroyo. Guayama is spread over 9 wards and Guayama Pueblo...
, to the island's south. Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n singing superstar Juanes
Juanes
Juan Esteban Aristizábal Vásquez , better known as Juanes is a Colombian musician who was a member of heavy metal band Ekhymosis and is now a solo artist. In 2000, his solo debut album Fíjate Bien won three Latin Grammy Awards.Juanes has sold more than 13 million albums...
was among the stars Suau hired for the 2005 version of Banco Popular's Christmas musical.
Apart from Alejandro Fernández and Juanes, Paloma Suau has directed many Puerto Rican singers, such as José Feliciano
José Feliciano
José Feliciano is a Puerto Rican singer, virtuoso guitarist and composer known for many international hits including the 1970 holiday single "Feliz Navidad".-Childhood:...
, Manny Manuel
Manny Manuel
Cruz Manuel Hernández Santiago , known artistically as Manny Manuel, is a Puerto Rican singer of merengue, boleros, and tropical music. He became famous first as a member of the group Los Sabrosos del Merengue, before launching a successful solo career in 1994.-Early life:Manny Manuel was born in...
and Andy Montañez
Andy Montañez
Andrés Montañez , better known as Andy Montañez, is a salsa singer from Puerto Rico.-Early life:Montañez, like singer Daniel Santos and boxer Ossie Ocasio, is a native of the Tras Talleres area of Santurce San Juan. He is known by the nickname "El Godfather de la Salsa"...
. Tony Croatto, who lived many years in Puerto Rico but was actually Italian, also sang on a number of Suau's productions before his passing.
Paloma Suau has revealed plans to film a movie about a Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
immigrant to Puerto Rico during 2006.