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Sabor y Amor (Taste of Love)

Home is where the heart is, and for Alejandra, it's in the kitchen. "Sabor y Amor," set in rural Vermont, shares the story of a Mexican migrant woman, who faced with limited job prospects, discovers comfort, livelihood, and community through her love of cooking. As Alejandra adjusts to life in Vermont, she turns to her grandmother's tamale recipe to create a sense of home and belonging. Soon, she starts her own business, offering Mexican cuisine to other migrant farmworkers, who gather around her and the taste of home she provides, especially during the long and lonely winters. Alejandra's culinary creations are more than just food; they are a testament to the power of cultural exchange and the transformative power of food to bring people together. "Sabor y Amor" is a heartwarming journey of love, family, and food that shines a light on the often-overlooked stories of migrant communities in Vermont. The film celebrates the resilience and resourcefulness of these communities while highlighting the importance of creating a sense of belonging, no matter where we find ourselves in the world.

  • Luke Robins
    Director
  • Ivonne Serna
    Director
  • Luke Robins
    Producer
  • Ivonne Serna
    Producer
  • Alejandra
    Key Cast
  • Wyatt Camery
    Original Score
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Sabor y Amor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 4 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    0 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Middlebury College
Director Biography - Luke Robins, Ivonne Serna

Luke Robins was born in New York City and is currently based in Vermont. He is a filmmaker with a focus on the intersection of small personal stories and larger political systems. Alongside his studies in Film and Media, Luke also studied Political Science and has a passion and experience in restorative justice and radio.

Ivonne Serna is a Mexican-born independent filmmaker, specializing in environmental storytelling and exploring the interactions between political, economic, and social factors with ecological issues. With three years of research experience at the National Geographic Society, Middlebury College, and Robin des Bois, Ivonne's mission is to popularize specialized knowledge and render intricate stories accessible to the public. She has strong field experience in Latin America and values co-participatory processes to echo the voices of the communities she works with.

Luke and Ivonne met as senior students at Middlebury College, where their shared passion for using storytelling to make a difference in the world led them to collaborate on this project.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Directors of "Sabor y Amor," Ivonne Serna and Luke Robins, blend personal and socio-political perspectives in their passion for storytelling. Through Alejandra's story, they hope to shed light on the struggles and resilience of migrant communities in Vermont, celebrating the transformative power of food and cultural exchange. Ivonne, as a Mexican native, provides a cultural perspective grounded in lived experience and the significance of cultural traditions. Luke's keen eye for restorative justice creates a synergy that results in a film that is both intimate and socially resonant. They aim to showcase Vermont’s migrant communities' resourcefulness and contributions, emphasizing the power of food to connect cultures and create a sense of belonging. Their hope is to inspire audiences to recognize the humanity and dignity of migrant communities and their vital role in Vermont’s society.