"La Liberacion de AlEXIS / The Discovery of Santos"

The uplifting story of how the Isenberg Center for Immigration Empowerment ICIE) worked to reunite a ten-eleven year old foreign national of El Salvador with his family that was domiciled in the United States. The short documentary provides technical background and personal insight into the rescue of the child that included the "El Gringo Schindler" going to El Salvador to deliver this young man to his family. While in El Salvador, the "El Gringo Schindler" discovered another human tragedy involving a mother and her four children that is introduced at the end of the film. ICIE is now working to resolve this matter that requires immediate attention.

  • Ralph Isenberg, Executive Director
    Director
    "El Gringo Schindler"
  • Joe De La Fuente
    Director
    "El Gringo Schindler"
  • Ralph Isenberg
    Writer
    "El Gringo Schindler
  • Ralph Isenberg, Executive Producer
    Producer
    "El Gringo Schindler"
  • Joe De La Fuente
    Producer
    "El Gringo Schindler
  • Ralph Isenberg
    Key Cast
    "El Gringo Schindler"
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Runtime:
    30 minutes 3 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 9, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    24 FPS
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Los Angeles CineFest ("La Liberacion de AlEXIS / The Discovery of Santos""

    Short Documentary Category Finalist
  • Oregon Film festival
  • Boston Latino International Film Festival ("El Gringo Schindler")

    Documentary Screening
  • 2015 Olive Tree International Story-Teller Film Festival ("El Gringo Schindler")

    Shown on Roku TV & Olive Tree TV Network
  • Direct Short & Documentary Film Festival

    Screen Film Online Platform
  • Awareness Film Festival 2015

    Award of Merit of Awareness
  • Los Angeles Film Festival Awards (LAIFFA) August 2015

    Selected for Online Screening
  • International Film Festival for Peace, Inspiration and Equality (IFFPIE) 2015

    Award of Merit"
  • Direct Monthly Online Film October 2015

    Selected for Online Screening
  • Another Independent International Film Festival
    Eau Claire, WI
Director Biography - Ralph Isenberg, Executive Director, Joe De La Fuente

Ralph Isenberg is the El Gringo Schindler. Isenberg has no formal filmmaking experience. After successful careers in hotel & restaurant management and commercial real estate development, Isenberg turned his attention to immigration reform. His efforts derive from heritage and experience. The oldest son of refugees from Nazi Germany, Isenberg learned from an early age to be mindful of the plight of others. A life-changing experience with extreme family separation of his own transformed Isenberg into a protagonist whose activism has benefited scores of foreign national families in need. With no legal training, Isenberg can make the most complex arguments to those that oppose the reforms he seeks for others. The efforts put forth by El Gringo Schindler are unpredictable as he strives to make those he opposes feel uncomfortable.

When the government sought to restrict the advocacy work of Isenberg, he started making films. His documentaries are both informative and dramatic. He films in real-time whenever possible. Isenberg features the people he is helping as part of recreation scenes. Isenberg plays an active role in each of his films. His films encourage social change and educate the populous about immigration wrongs.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"It has been my humble honor to save one starfish at a time in hopes that humanity will one day cease to stumble upon a beach of starfish in need." Ralph Isenberg is El Gringo Schindler

"It is right. It is wrong. Then there is the right thing to do." unknown

"The rest is silence" William Shakespeare from Hamlet