New HBO Comedy Inspired By Monmouth Co. Cuban-American Family

MARLBORO, NJ - A comedic short film inspired by one woman’s own Monmouth County family has debuted on HBO Max.

‘Generation Por Que?’ (‘Generation Why’ in Spanish) portrays an aspiring actress played by Marlboro native Jacqueline Pereda navigating her career while living with traditional Cuban parents in New Jersey. The series serves as a semi-autobiographical retelling of Pereda’s own roots, who drew inspiration from her own family living in Monmouth County (look closely and you’ll even see the main character Jackie Perez sporting a Marlboro Middle School t-shirt in one scene).

“When you’re the child of immigrants, not only do you have to find your way, but you are the “grand explainer” of things. To your parents, you are explaining American culture and to your non-first-gen friends why it’s normal to wear a giant “eye” necklace to ward off evil spirits. Independence is not something easily given to us by our parents, and it’s ripe for laughs,” Pereda told Variety.

Pereda’s series, which has been screened at film festivals before getting picked up nationwide, earned her a Finalist distinction for the 2017 Sundance New Voices Lab. It was also selected for SeriesFest, Women In Comedy Festival and the LA Comedy Festival.

The show’s pilot is streaming on HBO Latino and HBO Max.

Watch the full trailer below: