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Interview with “Chica Busca Chica” star Celia Freijeiro

AfterEllen.com recently caught up with 23-year-old Spanish TV star Celia Freijeiro to discuss her lesbian web series, Chica Busca Chica (Girl Seeks Girl). (Read our review of the series here.)

In Chica Busca Chica, Freijeiro plays Nines, a smooth-talking lothario who can make any woman fall prey to her slyly seductive ways.

In our email interview, Freijeiro talks about the ongoing struggle of finding funding and a distributor for the lesbian TV series in Spain, the onscreen chemistry between her beautiful cast mates and a sneak peek of what to expect in the future for Chica Busca Chica (warning: lesbian pregnancy storyline likely).

AfterEllen.com: For those readers who haven’t yet watched Chica Busca Chica, how would you describe the series?

Celia Freijeiro: Chica Busca Chica is a Spanish comedy in which the main focus is the stories and situations that the protagonists experience. The creators, Sonia Sebastian and Olga Iglesias, wanted the main characters to be a group of women who other women would like, while refusing to dwell on the morbid situation that the taboo of homosexuality could generate.

The creators decided to produce a comedy for all ages, which is why there’s no strong sexual content in the show. The series is fresh, shameless and fun, while still being sexy.

AE: What initially drew you to this project?

CF: Well, it was my friend, actress Sandra Collantes, who spoke to me about this project, but immediately after I met the director, I caught onto her vision and, frankly, I fell in love with the script and Nines.

AE: What was your family’s reaction to you playing a lesbian? What do they think of Nines?

CF: My dad, Rafael Freijeiro, is a well-known painter, and my mom is a jewelry designer. They’re both artists and understand my career perfectly and support me entirely. They’ve seen all of my work, and CBC was no exception.

AE: Was playing Nines in Chica Busca Chica your first time playing a lesbian, and did you have initial inhibitions?

CF: The first time in my professional career that I got a lesbian scene was in the production, El Color de Agosto by Paloma Pedrero. In the play, my character, Maria, is an artist married to Juan, the ex-boyfriend of her best friend, Laura. What she would discover in the process was tormented love for Laura. That was the first time I played a woman in love with another woman.

Nines is totally different — a modern lesbian, completely out of the closet, really sexually liberated and a heartbreaker. It’s true that, at the beginning, I had a lot of doubts about how to interpret the role and I had a lot of questions. But it ended up being the most fun!

AE: What’s it like taking on the role of the resident player and heartbreaker of the show?

CF: At first, I was a little scared by how the script described Nines. I wanted to shed a light on the part of her that was more tender, more naïve, and more fun, so that viewers wouldn’t be left with only her “scoundrel” aspect.

AE: Do you see aspects of yourself in Nines?

CF: Of course, it’s been a pleasure to play Nines. I don’t usually do the things that she does, get myself into the messes that Nines does, or hook up with people so shamelessly. Perhaps it gave me the opportunity to experiment with being a little wilder and cheeky, which was really fun.

AE: Nines clearly has commitment issues – she hits on Mónica’s roommate, Carmen the “hetero,” the morning after she sleeps with Mónica. Will we ever see Nines settle down?

CF: I shouldn’t reveal too much, but I can say that in the second season there will be a truly great effort (from Nines) to settle down … and it’s possible that it’s not with Carmen. But will she succeed?

AE: How has it been working with director Sonia Sebastián and scriptwriter Olga Iglesias?

CF: It was a real luxury. Sonia is full of energy and her vision. She’s an excellent director. You never feel lost on set and she dedicates all the time necessary for the scene to be where she thinks it needs to be. She makes the whole team feel comfortable, and not only that, she makes everyone a fundamental part of the project.

AE: You get to kiss a lot of beautiful ladies in the series – characters Mónica, Carmen, Rossi – with whom did you have the best chemistry (and best kissing scenes)?

CF: We all truly got along well together, and it was a really fun shooting process full of jokes, kisses and laughter. With Carmen and Monica, the truth is that we’ve been friends for a long time and we really enjoyed doing scenes together.

AE: What has been the biggest challenge for you in terms of filming the show?

CF: Although until now I’ve been telling you about the positive aspects, I should recognize that bringing Chica Busca Chica forward was really complicated. Very few people were ready to gamble on the project, and not a single network wanted it as part of their programming.

In the end we were able to get the project afloat despite having not the best conditions. So now after so much effort, Chica Busca Chica’s success is really rewarding. The distributor that is currently in charge of Chica Busca Chica in the U.S. has filled us with joy and new ideas.

AE: What kind of feedback have you received from Spanish and international fans? Has there been any backlash among more conservative groups in response to a lesbian TV series?

CF: The networks are still reluctant to show a series like this, but the public response – both Spanish and international – couldn’t be better. They’ve sent us messages of support and love, and with that we’ll remain and push forward.

AE: With the addition of English subtitles, even more readers on AfterEllen.com have avidly followed Chica Busca Chica online. Why do you think viewers have already taken to this show, and why do you think others can relate to it?

CF: What I like most about Chica Busca Chica is how funny it is. It tells the characters’ stories of mix-ups and flirting with a fresh perspective and good-natured humor. In the end, isn’t the “cocktail” fresh, sexy and appealing?

AE: Can you give us any juicy details about what’s in store for us next season?

CF: There will be pregnancies, new romances, weddings and a lot of new women.

AE: You have your own production company, Pocapena Producciones. Are you currently working on any projects?

CF: Despite the success of the first season of Chica Busca Chica, it seems that there isn’t a single TV network or producer that’s interested in producing the second season because of the lesbian theme, so Pocapena Producciones has signed an agreement with the creators, Sonia Sebastian and Olga Iglesias, to acquire the rights.

We’re looking for funding because we believe that the second season should receive the production it deserves. The first thing we’re going to make is a short that will advance the plot of the second season, but which will be meaningful in itself. We’re really excited!

AE: How do you think The L Word compares to CBC?

CF: I love The L Word: it’s a great series, really well produced. CBC was made out of love and commitment. No one believed in a project like this, and Sonia and Olga didn’t have support or funding. They filmed the scenes in friends’ houses and bars and cut costs where they could … but they made it! And look where it’s come! We’re really proud of it and deeply flattered by whatever comparison CBC gets to The L Word.

AE: What kind of impact do you think CBC has on the LGBT community and peoples’ acceptance of their sexuality?

CF: I believe that television and theater should function as mirror to society. Artistic works such as CBC are essential to make the mirror grow richer, bigger, more colorful and more representative of real society.

AE: Are you considering acting in the U.S.? American fans would love to have you, and have already fallen in love with Nines (even though she’s trouble).

CF: At the moment I’m writing to you from Barcelona, where I’m filming the second season of Pelotas, a series for Televisión Española with which I’m really happy.

Nothing would make me happier than working in the States as an actress. I really admire the United States’ work capacity, the support for talent and the arts, and the industry in general. I graduated from Dewitt High School in Arkansas and since then I’ve wanted to return. I’ll take this opportunity to send a big kiss to my dear little American city — go Dragons!

Chica Busca Chica (Girl Seeks Girl) is available for purchase from Wolfe Video, and can be viewed online at Veoh.com or Terra TV.

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