Eugenio Derbez & Patricia Riggen reveal the 10 secrets to their success in Hollywood (EXCLUSIVE)

"You have no idea how many times people have said that my sucess is product of luck. It's infuriating, but it is what it is. Women, particularly in my profession have to prove themselves over and over again. It's difficult to be respected," told me Mexican movie director Patricia Riggen, who is basically the most important Latina filmmaker making her way in Hollywood. She is the director behind 2012's successful Bajo la misma luna, which launched Kate del Castillo's career in the U.S. Riggen is married to cinematographer Checco Varese and has one child.

"I try to do exercise three times a week. At least one when I'm very busy. I also get in a weekly massage," 45-year-old Riggen said, describing how she manages to keep the stamina to direct two big movies back to back (she directed The 33, about the trapped Chilean miners, and Miracles from Heaven, with Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah). "I think better and have more energy when I take care of my body," the director added. She describes this as "maintenance" and finds it as important as keeping abreast of the new trends in directing and technology.

Riggen says that you have to find something that moves you in your job. When making Miracles from Heaven she was inspired by the mom, played by Jennifer Garner, and by the doctor, played by Eugenio Derbez. "It was important to me to show that mothers can move mountains for their kids. But also a character like Dr. Samuel Nurko, a renowned doctor, Harvard-trained, but born, raised and educated in México. There are not enough characters like him, that show what Latinos can do."

For all the women out there who are trying to make a dream come true, Riggen told me: "Ignore all the voices that say you can't do it, starting with your own. If you work hard and keep at it, you will achieve your goal."

Eugenio Derbez made a confession: "I have failed at around 80 percent of all the projects I started, but that taught me that it's okay. You get up again and try again. I have learned that success is about how you get up after a failure."

Derbez was a household name in México and most of Latin America when he decided to move to Los Angeles and start practically from scratch. He was 52 years old, the age when many are planning their retirement. "I feel younger and more alive than ever now. I wanted to get out of my comfort zone. It was scary, but the rewards in my life have been amazing," he said.

Derbez revealed that he is taking English lessons in L.A. He is also prepping for a new movie. "You have to keep learning," he told me.

The actor, writer and director says that many Latinos think that leaving behind their culture and roots will make things easier, but he thinks that make them weaker. "You are stronger if you use all of who you are," he said.

Both of these powerhouse Mexican artists are the force behind Miracles from Heaven, a small movie that has held its own the past two weekends of big premieres like Batman vs Superman. On its opening weekend, it came in third.

The movie, which is a great option to see as a family, is at the heart of what Derbez and Riggen consider a touchstone of their sucess, the angels that have helped them along the way. "We met amazing people every day that lend us a hand to make things easier. Sometimes they are strangers. Sometimes we don´t even notice, but they are there," says Riggen. Derbez completes the thought: "The world and our lives would be a lot better if each of us took the time to help somebody else as well. A little thing can mean a lot to somebody."