The Unbroken Sky

Producer Normandie Ramirez and I go back nearly three decades, first meeting on the rough-and-tumble set of Rob Nilsson’s indie masterpiece Chalk (1994). We’ve been friends and collaborators ever since, working together most recently on my feature Like Reply Share (2020).

Years ago, Normandie met Dr. Francisco Jiménez, read his autobiographical book series, and became consumed with the dream of translating his work into cinema. She often spoke to me about this project as a calling. Still, I did not read the books or meet Francisco until Normandie brought me on to adapt parts of his life into a short screenplay. Over the course of several deep interviews with Francisco and repeated readings of his books, I too became enamored of this remarkable man, his amazing life, and the wisdom and grace with which he has shared his story with the world.

Normandie and Francisco built a close relationship of trust over the years as she developed this project, and I have been honored to be included in that circle as they invited me to direct this film. During pre-production and production, I have been further awed by the warm support of the extended Jiménez family and the communities of Santa Maria and Guadalupe. These Central Coast farming towns, where Francisco and his siblings grew up, are still important agricultural centers and homes to old and new generations of proud immigrant families who recognize themselves in Francisco’s story – which continues to be as relevant as ever. Together, along with our small but formidable cast and crew, we have done our best to bring that story to the screen.