![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/eltecolote.org\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Love-Cecy_03web-1.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1\")
<\/a>\u201cHer murder never left Richmond,\u201d said Lopez, who wrote and directed the film. \u201cHer story never made it outside of our community, and I feel like her legacy deserves to be known to the public, outside of Richmond. So that means more to me, for that to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite Lopez\u2019s desire to start production, he faced challenges in producing a story that took place in the early \u201890s, a story about a young woman he never had the chance of meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis happened in my neighborhood actually, when I was eight years old,\u201d said Lopez. \u201cI never knew her, but she was murdered about a mile away from me, and her murder at the time was devastating for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the first things the independent filmmaker did was Google her name, but there was very little information. He then went to the library to look up old newspaper clippings, but all he found were articles that focused on Rios\u2019 murder, and the trial of her killer, Juan Miguel Chavez-Garcia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to play detective and do my research, like hardcore,\u201d said Lopez on writing an accurate script of Rios\u2019 life. \u201cI had to really dig into what I\u2019m dealing with because this is a true story and you don\u2019t want to fu– with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
It took Lopez about 18 months to complete his research, eventually getting in touch with Rios\u2019 parents, who were hesitant at first. However, he got their blessing to start a film production, which took almost eight years to complete.<\/p>\n
Recreating a \u201890s feel was another challenge facing Lopez.<\/p>\n
\u201cMe taking it back to 1994… the cars are different. The style is different,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cI think and feel like my crew had really brought you in. I really made it the \u201890s. It brings joy to my heart because when you watch the film, you can\u2019t even tell that we filmed it this modern day. I feel we did a good job on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Filming took place in Lopez\u2019s home, and the homes of friends and family. He also managed to borrow a few cars from the \u201890s to give the film a realistic sense. Lopez wasn\u2019t able to shoot inside the high school that Rios attended, but he did manage to get some exterior shots of the building. For interior shots, he shot at another school.<\/p>\n
Lopez said he has developed a close relationship with Cecy\u2019s family and that\u2019s a reason why he\u2019s pushing for her story to be heard.<\/p>\n
\u201cI told them, \u2018I\u2019m not Hollywood, I\u2019m from this community. I just feel your daughter\u2019s legacy should\u2019ve been way more than it was left to be,\u201d said Lopez.<\/p>\n
Lopez will host an exclusive screening of the film on Feb. 2-3 in hopes of expanding Cecilia Rios\u2019 story beyond Richmond. Tickets cost $15.00, and can be purchased online at Lovececymovie.com<\/i><\/p>\n