La Promesa

La Promesa is a short film about a Mexican father, Jorge, who immigrates through a hellish desert across the U.S.-Mexico border in hopes of earning enough to save his ailing son and make a better life for his family. Along the way, he meets Tony, a young father-to-be, and they form a bond during the journey.

  • Mariaelena Gil
    Director
  • Mariaelena Gil
    Writer
  • Christopher Potter
    Producer
  • Tom Sylla
    Producer
  • Rene Peraza
    Key Cast
    "Jorge"
  • Jose Acosta
    Key Cast
    "Tony"
  • Ivan Torres
    Key Cast
    "Coyote"
  • Vilma Vega
    Key Cast
    "Rosa"
  • Alexis Guillen
    Key Cast
    "Luis"
  • Jimmy Olea
    Key Cast
    "Truck Driver"
  • Ulises Ramirez
    Key Cast
    "Juanito"
  • Gerorge Serva
    Extras
  • Ramiro Lopez
    Extras
  • Ray Isaak Bleau
    Director of Photography
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    La Promesa
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 21, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    1,165 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    Spanish
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • 17th Oakland international Fil Festival
    Oakland
    United States
    September 28, 2019
    Social Justice Award
Director Biography - Mariaelena Gil

Hello! My Name is Mariaelena Gil a Passionate latina Film maker. I'm from the Bay Area. I come from a big Latino family, who has always supported me and my dream in becoming apart of the film making industry. What Inspired me to write this film is my father. My father is the most hardworking, loving, person in this whole world and I would not know what I would do with out him, and the sacrifices he has made just so we can live good and become successful. My dad's story of when he crossed the desert is so haunting, the way he described how, scared, lonely, and hungry he was, how he didn't know if he would make it out alive, and the people he saw lose the battle and got left behind in the desert. Stories like his, there are many but are not heard and that is why I wrote this film to give people who ever crossed over to America and those who lost their lives trying, a voice and a story.

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