Javier Cámara and Raúl Arévalo in the streets of New York
“The first day of filming, Javier [Cámara] and I weren't shooting but we went to see Raúl [Arévalo] and Sarah [Sokolovic] and tears came to my eyes”, says the actress from the series Con el culo al aire, Carmen Ruiz. “It looked like a Woody Allen movie, it was very beautiful and exciting. Shooting here has been like living in a Woody Allen movie.”
It's what New York has, that “focuses where you focus the camera” you are likely to recognize some corner . “New York exudes New York,” says Raúl Arévalo. “You're shooting on a corner, on any street, and you know you're in this city, people don't even stop to look. Here you feel welcomed immediately, even if it is not particularly warm, but because all those cinematographic references that we have help you not to feel strange”.
Woody's filmography, Scorsese's, dozens of series... The list of those references is endless and for any actor or director to shoot in Manhattan and give their own interpretation of the city is a great dream. And, precisely of dreams, although unfulfilled, he speaks The unexpected life, the film that Elvira Lindo wrote for Javier Cámara , who plays an actor who, 12 years after moving to New York in search of that dream, still hasn't achieved it. A story that brought the two of them, the director Jorge Torregrossa (who was returning to the city where he lived for 10 years) and Carmen Ruiz and Raúl Arévalo to live in the city for more than a month. Enough time so that, despite the 12-hour days, they have been able to walk and enjoy its streets and discover new places that they did not know from their previous visits.
We take advantage of a moment during the shooting so that Carmen Ruiz and Raúl Arévalo can show us some of their favorite places in this addictive city
The actors have lived in the Big Apple for a month
PLACES
The two choose locations where they have been filming The Unexpected Life, such as Times Square. "It's touristy, ornate and typical, but the first time I arrived and saw all those lights I said: 'Yes, I'm in New York!' says Raul Arevalo. A Lower East Side rooftop, remembers Carmen Ruiz. Or also the high-line , “a beautiful and special place”, says the actress, where an important scene takes place.
Both recommend the East Village, “our New York neighborhood” , where they have lived this time and from where they have come to know the city they stay with: "The Brooklyn Bridge, the Brooklyn Heights promenade or the Empire State, a viewpoint to the world," says Carmen. “Central Park, another classic, but it is so beautiful… and so movie-like to walk around there” , says Arévalo, who advises going to Harlem on a Sunday to listen to a gospel mass. "In the Greater Refuge Temple I lived an hour that was amazing."
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
gem . “For the wonderful breakfasts that we enjoy so many days,” says Raúl Arévalo. The Bowery Hotel restaurant has been their meeting place during their time in the East Village. “We met Ryan Gosling, Ryan Gosling!” says Carmen Ruiz still excited by the experience. But she also agrees, she chooses it for “breakfasts that unite”. And, yes, indeed, for more than reasonable prices you can have breakfast, lunch, brunch or dinner and, with a lot of luck, do so among celebrities.
** Smalls ,** in the West Village, recommended by Carmen Ruiz: “With New York tradition”. It is one of the most legendary and essential jazz clubs in the city.
**Hogs & Heifers Saloon** “In the middle of the cool Meatpacking District (one of my favorites) is this Coyote Bar-type place,” says Carmen Ruiz. A real club, cheap beer, bras on the walls and, yes, ladies who go up to dance on the bar.
Barrage 141 , “generosity from La Rioja in New York”, say the two actors, who were able to go to this Upper West Side restaurant set up by the young Álvaro Reinoso and try its menu of modern, quality Spanish food by chef Manuel Berganza (former head of Gastro cuisine, by Sergi Arola).
Rice to Riches , rice pudding of all flavors. Skinny and skinny, refrain. "The raspberry one is delicious," remembers Carmen Ruiz.
STORES
Carmen Ruiz has two weaknesses: Uniqlo , “the one in Soho: cheap & useful (cheap and useful) and Warby Parker , designer eyeglass frames, the affordable version of the mythical Moscot. Raúl Arévalo has a main one: the chain Urban Outfitters .
Carmen Ruiz, shot and reverse shot