Nava to direct Selena film

Nava says the March 31 shooting death of Selena won't be depicted in the movie. The trial of Yolanda Saldivar, the accused killer, is set to begin in Houston on Oct. 9.

"I'm sick and tired of the violence we see in cinema and film," said Nava, whose El Norte is a grim depiction of illegal Central American immigration into the United States. "I want to make a movie about this beautiful person whose life was taken away. We have to get off this base we have in this country of glorifying the violent abuser and forgetting the victim."

Nava will write and direct the film, which will be produced by Moctesuma Esparza. Selena's father, Abraham Quintanilla, said he had numerous offers to make films of Selena's life, but only Esparza, who produced "The Milagro Beanfield War", and Nava seemed to understand the family's vision for the film.

"I just wanted to make sure that this was not a Hollywood dramatic movie, but a true-life story," said Quintanilla, who will be the film's executive producer and have control of its content. "If they get out of line as far as the story goes, I'll put them back on course."

A central element of the film will be Selena's on-stage persona - a challenge for whoever is cast in the role, Nava said.

Meanwhile, Quintanilla announced at a news conference that Selena's band, Los Dinos, will break up after a farewell tour next spring.