Yet it is neither a straightforward biopic nor a period film.

And not only that, I've never done any period films.

I didn't want to make a period film.

It's like the set of a period film, particularly on Tuesday evening, when an older crowd comes for danzón.

I never imagined that places like this still existed outside period films.

She added, "It's an amazing place to shoot period films."

That is perhaps why she's perfect for period films.

Since it's a period film, it gave me a chance to look at this other side which I have never really tried to explore before.

The fact that she's going for an idiosyncratic take on a period film is interesting.

"It's important that period films aren't seen as just a lovely visual exercise," she said.