Real Women Have Curves, a comedy in which big and beautiful Ana (America Ferrera) comes of age in East L.A. surrounded by her overbearing family, was never intended for theatrical release. It was made for HBO. "At the time," explains Newmarket Films' Bob Berney, "HBO's policy was that everything was for television only. But every Sundance review said that it had to have a theatrical release." The film, which opens on October 18, has been lauded for the performance of 18-year-old Ferrera, whose own life neatly parallels her character's. "I was going through so much of the same things in my life," she says. "I was applying to college, and of course I have a mom, too!" Colombia-born first-time director Patricia Cardoso has been overwhelmed by the response. "I got five standing ovations at Sundance, five minutes each! People were applauding in the middle of the film!"

Related:

• Archive: “Features”
• Articles by Sara Cardace
• From the Sep 8, 2002 issue of New York