A young Mexican man risks it all to reach the other side of the border and fulfill his dream of a better life.

Director's Statement

Otro Lado, meaning "other side", is about the border wall (actually a fence in Arizona) and what divides us. Otro Lado is a love story made tragic from the consequences of the fears of people who build walls that segregate and separate – whether physical or emotional. Otro Lado is about assumptions that lead to misleading conclusions and perceptions. Otro Lado was primarily created to bring attention to border issues that divide and target specific ethnic groups. This was also an opportunity to create emotional impact through my musical compositions. Otro Lado weaves together what it means to be human and desperate for a better life. This desperation can create criminal opportunists who prey on the despairing. While seeking a film platform to showcase my work as composer, I conceived of the idea when contemplating how extreme the border conflict could become if the United States became a rogue nation, and imagined what it might be like if American citizens were attempting to flee over the wall to Mexico. The film's concept intends to show how such a sociopolitical situation might be depicted, and how unanticipated consequences potentially complicate such a desire to escape. Although the film is a fictional depiction, it represents an actual reality that continues to be played out at the US and Mexico border. However, in this presentation the roles of migrant and the "promised land" are reversed. It has long been assumed that the United States is the first country of choice for those seeking asylum and a better life. The use of Spanish and subtitles was designed to lead the viewer to a specific conclusion, and to burst that misconception at the end of the film. I intended to create a film platform to convey that relationships suffer from the charged prejudices of those seeking to impose political agendas that in the end, work against the betterment of humankind.

Category: Drama.
Themes: Border, Family, Immigration, Mexican Culture.

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