Three-time Oscar-winning filmmaker Oliver Stone returns to the screen with the action packed thriller SAVAGES, featuring the all-star ensemble cast of Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson, John Travolta, Benicio Del Toro, Salma Hayek, and Demian Bichir. The film also stars Sandra Echeverria, the Mexican actress/singer best known for the highly rated soap operas ‘Relaciones Peligrosas’ and ‘El Clon’ on Telemundo. We spoke to the beautiful and talented actress about her challenging role.

The film is based on Don Winslow’s best-selling crime novel, named one of The New York Times’ Top 10 Books of 2010. The plot centers on Laguna Beach entrepreneurs Ben (Johnson), a peaceful and charitable Buddhist, and his closest friend Chon (Kitsch), a former Navy SEAL and ex-mercenary who run a lucrative, homegrown industry–raising some of the best marijuana ever developed. They also share a one-of-a-kind love with the extraordinary beauty Ophelia (Lively). Life is idyllic in their Southern California town…until the Mexican Baja Cartel decides to move in and demands that the trio partners with them.

When the merciless head of the BC, Elena (Hayek), and her brutal enforcer, Lado (Del Toro), underestimate the unbreakable bond among these three friends, Ben and Chon–with the reluctant, slippery assistance of a dirty DEA agent (Travolta)–wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel. And so begins a series of increasingly vicious ploys and maneuvers in a high stakes, savage battle of wills.

Sandra Echeverria plays Magda, the daughter of Salma Hayek’s character. As she says, “Magda is used to the best in life coming from a wealthy family. Her mother is a very powerful woman and she loses control of the situation. I can’t talk too much about the details. My character goes through a lot of difficult situations. You will see a lot of action and dramatic scenes. Magda is a spoiled young girl. She has a pleasant personality but she has a bit of resentment with her mom because she didn’t give her enough attention. In the end she loves her mom.”

Developing the character was easy. “Oliver gave us an idea of the character… what he saw as our character and he allowed us to develop and built it.” She continues, “Working with Oliver was an amazing experience. Of course it was intimidating in the beginning working with such an important director as Oliver Stone. And plus he’s a man with a very strong personality. But he makes people feel comfortable from the beginning. He talks a lot about how he sees the characters. We rehearsed a lot, which was good because once we got to the set we were prepared.”

Asked whether she had reservation about being Mexican and acting in a film about drug cartels she says, “Not at all. I am actress. My dedication is to tell good stories. I look for good scripts, good characters, stories that interests me. When I looked at script and learned that it would be directed by Oliver Stone there was no need to ask any other questions.