Paula Garcés Talks ‘A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas’By Max Evry
November 4, 2011
Paula Garcés (pronounced pow-u-la gar-says) has been lucky enough to not only be in all three parts of the “Harold & Kumar” trilogy since the series began in 2004, but has also been the central motivation for all the adventures the stoner pair has gone on.
In the new film “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas,” Garcés’ character Maria is married to Harold and having her (rather substantial) family come to visit her for the holidays, including her stern, Christmas-obsessed dad played by the great Danny Trejo. One burned Christmas tree later and the boys are off on another wild night of insanity featuring the Russian mob, clamation, and even Santa Claus.
Blackfilm.com had an exclusive chat with Paula Garcés where she discussed her obvious affection for the franchise, her fans, and the comic book/video game character she created called “Aluna.”
When you were first shooting with John Cho in that elevator 7 or 8 years ago did you ever imagine this series would still be smokin’ by this time?
Paula Garcés: No, not at all! (laughs) When I first read the script I was only in one scene supposedly. The script was literally making me laugh out loud. The subject matter was definitely pushing boundaries and putting cultures together that do hang out together in real life. I was like, “Oh my God, I have to be a part of this!” I was lucky to get cast, but was immediately afraid of how they were ever going to find a Harold and a Kumar. When I met John Cho and Kal Penn I was astounded at how talented they were, much better than my imagination. We hoped it would be accepted by the fans because we were having fun filming the movies, but never thought it would be this big.
It’s obvious that John & Kal’s chemistry and friendship is strong, it’s so fun to watch those guys, but having been in all three what do you think is something most people don’t understand about why these films work so well?
Paula Garcés: That’s a good question. Most of my experience with the fans is positive, all of it. I can’t remember any negative feedback. You’re right, they have an amazing chemistry onscreen and offscreen. They can have a glance at that by following John or Kal on Twitter. They speak with each other all the time and hang out with each other. It goes back to the original writers of Harold and Kumar who have been attached all along the way. They were brilliant in giving us great material, amazing jokes, incorporated real-life quarks from John, Kal, and myself into the characters. When they cast me they wanted to make sure Harold had motivation for why he would suffer so much throughout these adventures with Kumar. I don’t know if John had any say in casting me or not, but he certainly is a very good actor and acts very much in love with me and enthralled by my beauty. (laughs)
Yes, it’s very easy to see why he would go through hell for you.
Paula Garcés: But yes, we don’t exclude any culture or color or creed. We make fun of everyone including ourselves. Just invite everyone to join the party. It’s not rocket science; it’s just come with your friends and laugh your asses off.
Your character Maria has some serious baby fever in this one. I know you’re a mother yourself, did you relate to those raging hormones?
Paula Garcés: Absolutely! Again, “Harold & Kumar” movies have not been about Maria and I’ve been totally fine with it. I’ve just been humble and appreciative to be a part of these movies, but the fact that they included me a little bit more in this third one, especially since it’s rumored this is the last one. Harold and Maria are definitely married in this one and they want the families to get together and have fun. Christmas is a very important holiday for her and she wants Harold to just be good to her dad. She definitely has baby fever and I really related to all those things, the differences between the cultures of the husband and the wife and wanting the family to see how cool he is.
Danny Trejo is such an awesome screen presence, what was it like having Machete as a dad?
Paula Garcés: When I first read the script and heard that I had a dad I was excited, and the way I was reading it was he was really sweet and cool. When I was told Danny Trejo was gonna be my dad it was a little bit of a shock. (laughs) Danny’s cover was this dude who only played criminals and was very mean and tough.
Macho.
Paula Garcés: Yeah, very tough and scary! I guess I forgot it’s just acting, and when I met him he was so sweet and nice, took me out to dinner, really wanted to make sure we connected as father and daughter. I’m glad the movie is showing another side of Danny Trejo which can be a sweet, overprotective dad. He’s actually very funny in the film.
He’s almost dainty in some scenes.
Paula Garcés: (laughs) Yes, exactly.
Were you embarrassed by your sexy lingerie scene or are you proud of how you look, justly I might add?
Paula Garcés: You know what, I’m glad you mentioned that because I’m very much a stereotypical Latina who loves to eat her rice and beans and fried porkchops. I don’t cut carbs I do it Mexican style with a lot of tortillas. When they gave me the head’s up that I was going to be in something a little skimpier and sexier I had to cut out a lot of those things and try to get my body in shape because I knew the fans were expecting something spectacular. I’m not quite sure if it was spectacular but I hope people understand I worked very hard for what’s up there in that red lingerie!
You recently released a comic book, “Aluna,” which also has a videogame component. Have you been a huge secret fantasy nerd this whole time?
Paula Garcés: Yeah, thank you for asking me about that. It’s one of my babies, it’s a very indie project that I’m into, very passionate about it. My partner and I came up with a character called Aluna, and in 2009 went to ComicCon and featured the first comic book. Thanks to the fans of “Harld & Kumar” and “The Shield,” who are geeks like me, really appreciated it and supported me and I came out with a second book. This videogame company wanted to license the character for about a year. The game is called “Heroes of Newerth” so if there’s some game heads out there who want to play with Aluna you can certainly pick her as your hero and kick ass. Right now we’re developing her as a TV show. I really hope people can go on my Facebook and download the first comic book for free and if they like it can keep up with it.
This new movie leaves everyone in a pretty good place, but if there was a part 4 where do you think they should go with it and where would you like to see your character?
Paula Garcés: If there was a Part 4 and we’re making fun of seasons let’s go there and make fun of the Fourth of July. I dunno! (laughs) I hope Maria is not only the motivation for Harold but maybe she can actually be in the adventure with them and use some of her wiles and sex appeal to get them out of situations. Wishes I’m putting out in the air, but I think John and Kal are pretty much done and want to move on from “Harold & Kumar”… or maybe not! I dunno, if this makes a gazillion dollars that must mean the fans really want it and why not give the fans what they want, right?
“A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas” is now playing everywhere.
