Biden: "Flamin' Hot" shows power of diversity and American stories
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President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Director Eva Longoria outside the White House during a screening of Flamin' Hot on Thursday. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images
President Biden on Thursday lauded "Flamin' Hot," the new movie that tells the true(ish) story of the creation of the hugely popular Flamin' Hot Cheetos, during a screening of the film at the White House.
Driving the news: The Bidens hosted lawmakers, Cabinet members and the film's cast and crew on the South Lawn in what the president said was the first time a movie focused on the Hispanic community had been publicly screened at the White House, the president said.
Details: "Flamin' Hot" centers on Richard Montañez, who began working as a janitor at Frito-Lay in the 1980s and claimed to have come up with the spicy cheeto before he ascended to become a marketing executive.
- Two years ago, the LA Times debunked the claim that he was the inventor of the spicy chip, but the film went ahead anyway.
- Some reviews say the story is worth watching for its portrayal of a factory worker's life. Others have praised its depiction of Chicano culture.
What they're saying: "It reminds us of the power — I mean it sincerely — the power of diversity, hope and opportunity, which is the American story," Biden said.
- "As Jill said, it's important to show the country all our stories."
- Eva Longoria, who made her film directorial debut, said she never imagined her movie being shown at the White House, thanking the Bidens for their support.
- "This truly is a people's story," Longoria said. "We are celebrating a story that celebrates the American entrepreneurial dream, without sidestepping the fact that the dream isn't available in the same way for everyone."
The big picture: Movies with Latino leads or stories, a rarity in Hollywood, are having a big summer.
- "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," in which two main characters are an Afro Latino teen Spider-Man and a Mexican futuristic Spider-Man, has been a huge hit.
- "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts," starring Anthony Ramos, who is of Puerto Rican descent, had a $60 million opening this weekend.
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Editor’s note: This story and headline have been updated with Biden’s remarks.
