Private Project

Crescite

When we grow together, we thrive.

For decades, one of the most beautiful places on earth was concealing a quiet human tragedy. The Napa Valley is world renown for fine wine, delicious food, and relaxation, yet scores of migrant farmworkers were living without access to housing and basic necessities. Crescite shares the story of how this unique community came together to create positive change and emerge as a powerful example for agricultural communities throughout the United States.

  • Will Agee
    Director
  • Will Agee
    Producer
  • Angel Calderon
    Key Cast
  • Pat Garvey
    Key Cast
  • John Brenkle
    Key Cast
  • Will Agee
    Cinematography
  • Olaf Hamelink
    Cinematography
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 31 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 23, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Mill Valley Film Festival
    Mill Valley
    United States
    October 9, 2016
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Napa Valley Film Festival
    Yountville
    United States
    November 9, 2016
    Official Selection
  • Roma Cinema Doc
    Rome
    Italy
    July 13, 2016
    Best International Short Film
  • San Jose International Short Film Festival
    San Jose
    United States
    October 20, 2016
    Official Selection
  • London Golden Scout IFF
    London
    United Kingdom
    November 5, 2016
    Official Selection
  • Cape Cod International Film Festival
    Chatham
    United States
    November 13, 2016
    Official Selection
  • Golden Gate International Film Festival
    San Jose
    United States
    October 29, 2016
    Official Selection
  • Tiburon International Film Festival
    Tiburon
    United States
    April 7, 2017
    Official Selection
  • Awareness Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    October 6, 2016
    Official Selection
  • I Hella Love Shorts
    Oakland
    United States
    September 11, 2016
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Will Agee

Will Agee is an award-winning documentary filmmaker from the Napa Valley. He is the Founder and Director of Dulcinea Productions.

Born in Boston, Will grew up in Saint Helena, California. Before starting his career in film, Will was a nationally touring musician, a graduate of Stanford University, and a small business owner.

In 2016, in pursuit of his lifelong dream of storytelling, Will released his first short documentary, Crescite. The film examines how the community of Napa Valley came together to create a more progressive environment for its farm workers.

Will's approach to filmmaking is elegant and distinctive. He uses poetic cinematography, intimate interviews, and evocative musical scores to transport the audience and leave an indelible impression. Despite working with highly sensitive issues including immigration, poverty, and war, his films have demonstrated the ability to bridge empathy gaps and advance dialogue.

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Director Statement

Crescite is the first professional film that I have made. It is a project that I have contemplated doing for many years. My goal with this film is to shine a light rather than to simply curse the darkness. Growing up in wine country the hard work of migrant farmworkers has always been very apparent to me. After witnessing how attitudes regarding immigration were being tainted with hateful rhetoric and paranoia, I felt the time was right to tell an inspirational story of growing together rather than apart.

The title of the film is from the Latin, "Crescite et multiplicamini" often translated as "Increase and multiply." These were the first words God ever spoke to mankind in the book of Genesis. Crescite can also take on the meaning of "come to be" or "grow." This stood out to me as the perfect title for a film that reveals how the Napa Valley is growing with its migrant farmworker population.
As immigration related challenges seem to divide us, I hope to inspire more human understanding, compassion, and gratitude to help combat the divisive vitriol that seems to be growing ever more abundant.

- Will Agee (Director)