Miguel Angel Caballero in action directing the film.
These two films share many things in common: their directors and producers are migrants, who have lived firsthand what it means to be “part of the raza” and pursue their dreams to conquer major festivals and win prestigious awards.
La Balada de Tita, written, produced, and directed by Luis Antonio Aldana and Miguel Ángel Caballero, and El Paisa, produced by Miguel Ángel Caballero and written and directed by Daniel Eduvijes Carrera, have dominated every festival where they’ve been presented.
La Balada de Tita recently won the Humanitas Prize for Best Short Film and the Imagen Award. It previously won the HollyShorts Latinx Award and was an official selection in various film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival.
Daniel Eduvijes Carrera, a born talent.
El Paisa won the award for Best Short Film at the Emerging Filmmaker American Pavilion at the Cannes Film Festival, in addition to being an official selection at festivals in Vancouver, Morelia, and others.
Both films depict aspects of the lives of Latino migrant communities in California.
“My family inspired me; I am the son of agricultural workers. I was able to study because of them, and I know their value, how difficult their work is, and the injustice they face in society,” says Miguel Ángel Caballero, director and co-writer, along with Aldana, of Tita. “I was able to study because of their sweat, because of my family’s hard work.”
In Tita, one can see the entire history of struggle, survival, and bravery of the farmers.
Daniel comes from a family from Durango, “gente del rancho,” with his migrant experience always present. His characters in the film portray the queer community in East L.A. “Many of them prefer not to talk about it,” he says.
El Paisa tells the story of Fernando, portrayed by Cristian Urbina, a young Latino on the streets of East L.A., who is rescued from harassment by some local gang members by a gay cowboy. The appearance of Carmelo, the character played by Daniel Ty Reza, not only helps Fernando accept his sexual preference but also his cultural identity.
These two experiences have clearly showcased the talent and value of Latino filmmakers with migrant stories, highlighting the resilience of our community.
After this, the talent that is portraying and reflecting our community is limitless… and the world knows it.
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