Cristian Urbina, an actor, filmmaker, photographer, and one of the lead actors in the acclaimed short film, El Paisa, directed and written by Daniel Eduvijes Carrera. (El Paisa Film)
It was a King Kong movie, among others. This young man originally from El Salvador was so moved coming out of his first theater experience in Washington State that he came out making movements with his arms and legs like a monkey.
“For me, it was mighty. I was a child, and coming from El Salvador to Washington State was a very powerful experience. Watching King Kong and other Leonardo DiCaprio films motivated me and gave me the idea that I could play multiple characters. For me, this is just the beginning,” says Cristian Urbina, an actor, filmmaker, photographer, and one of the lead actors in the acclaimed short film, El Paisa, directed and written by Daniel Eduvijes Carrera.
Cristian migrated from El Salvador at the age of seven.
“My mother married an American. It was very difficult for me. I remember being in El Salvador, in the markets, with my family, and my aunts, eating pupusas. Traveling to a town of several thousand people in Washington State was initially exciting, then a nightmare. I missed Salvadoran food. My stepfather wouldn’t let me get up from the table until I ate all my food. At dinner, they served me meatloaf, which I didn’t want. I would fall asleep at the table and wait until after midnight before leaving the table. My mother suffered because of my adaptation problems. She would come down and cook me what I liked,” says Cristian.
Cristian Urbina, navigating the streets as he has been navigating in his life. (El Paisa FIlm)
He didn’t speak English and had to learn it. A predominantly Caucasian community would not accept a Latino who only spoke Spanish. Loneliness was his companion, and his mom asked him to stay at home for protection. He found a way to connect with people and open up through sports.
“I was very good. I practiced swimming, football, and soccer. That’s how I made friends,” he says.
Sports were his way of fighting. Every step, every stroke, was a struggle to survive and find his way.
“Later, I realized that wasn’t for me. Since I was a child, I knew I wanted to act. The discovery of cinema had a huge impact on me. I joined theater groups and found my vocation,” he says.
With his best friend, José, he decided to travel to Los Angeles to achieve his dream.
“We took the car and traveled along the Pacific coast. I enrolled in college. After arriving, my friend returned to Washington State the next day. I dropped him off at the airport and went back to the car. I started crying; I felt like Los Angeles was a mountain on top of me,” he says.
But as if recalling those sports practices, he made his way through projects, auditions, and movies.
“Daniel make it easy. His script brought back so many memories of my life. It was easy to integrate myself into the project, and I was interested in it. With projects like this and my own, other Latinos and I are making noise in Hollywood—a silent noise,” he says.
During the pandemic, he had to reinvent himself. He perfected his photography skills and generated other income.
“I sleep happily, and have high expectations. I have many projects, and I’m just starting. I have a dream that I have to fulfill, no matter what,” he says.
But one of his biggest concerns every day remains his mother.
“I have to check in every day. If not, she worries. I have to call her every day,” he says.
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