SXSW 2019 – Building the American Dream
In Texas, construction workers face the deadliest conditions in the country. Building the American Dream follows three immigrant families who are rising up to seek justice and equality in an industry rife with exploitation.
Interview with Director/Editor Chelsea Hernandez and Producer/Editor Marisol Medrano
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
My journey with this film began in my hometown of Austin, Texas, in 2009, when I learned from a TV news segment that three immigrant workers had fallen to their deaths when their scaffold collapsed while building a luxury student condominium tower near the University of Texas while I was a student there. The news led me to investigate further, and I soon discovered startling facts about the Texas construction industry:
Texas is the deadliest state for construction.
Texas is the only state that doesn’t require workers compensation for contractors.
Half of the million person workforce in Texas is undocumented.
I was shocked and disappointed to learn of the vast exploitation of those immigrants building my rapidly expanding home state. While I understood Texas was a right to work state, this sounded not only like the Wild West, but seemed to be a modern form of slavery upon which the much touted “Texas Miracle” relied.
I knew the only way to inform people about this complex issue would be to make a film that captures the lives, struggles and dangers faced every day by workers and their families. By focusing on their points of view, I wanted audiences to connect with the real people who build the office in which they work, or the schools their children attend.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
This story brings to light a visible invisible consequence of the economic boom. Although the story is set in Texas, the issues of labor and immigration are central to the American economy. I believe this story has the strength to change hearts and minds about immigrants in the U.S., opening their eyes to the contributions to the construction industry and to society. Building the American Dream highlights the people who build the American Dream but are often excluded from it.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This film intimately follows the lives of three immigrant families who are affected by the unsafe working conditions in the Texas construction industry and their rise up to fight back to protect all workers regardless of status. Capturing the personal stories of worker's lives allows the audience to see the universal themes of immigration and labor and how they affect human lives.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The film has evolved immensely over the past five years. We began filming with multiple workers back in 2014 and weren't sure the story arc, yet. But as time went on we were drawn to several families who we continued filming over the course of three years. With the change of leadership in the White House, our film became more relevant and grew more interest before it was released.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
An audience member at our world premiere mentioned in conversation with her friend that she's been watching movies at SXSW all week but this film (Building the American Dream) was the best one yet.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We hope to share the film with communities outside of Texas who may also have large immigrant populations and are economically growing.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We need a sales agent and are looking for theatrical, online and educational distribution.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We have an impact campaign that is seeking partnerships from foundations and organizations who work on the issues in the film. We feel this film can create impact on the ground through community engagement to spark the conversations around themes of labor and immigration.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why is this happening in the U.S.? People are shocked to learn how bad workers are treated and are enraged that this is happening the America.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
The director is currently developing a student loan mini doc series for television.
Interview: March 2019
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
Building the American Dream
In Texas, construction workers face the deadliest conditions in the country. Building the American Dream follows three immigrant families who are rising up to seek justice and equality in an industry rife with exploitation.
Length: 1:13:00
Director: Chelsea Hernandez
Producer: Marisol Medrano
About the writer, director and producer:
CHELSEA HERNANDEZ is a Mexican-American filmmaker based in Austin, Texas. Her work focuses on the unique perspectives of various issues and topics through the lens of ordinary people who challenge the status quo and injustices in this world. She is a fellow of Firelight Media Doc Lab, Tribeca All Access and BAVC National Mediamaker Fellowship.
Born in Mexico City and a graduate from The University of Texas at Austin, MARISOL MEDRANO has produced projects that closely relate to the filmmakers’ cultural diversity and personal interest. She has produced various award-winning short films including Student Academy Award Winner Fatakra in 2011.
Looking for: sales agents, distributors, film festival directors
Facebook: Building the American Dream
Twitter: @buildingfilm
Instagram: @buildingtheamericandream
Website: www.buildingtheamericandream.com
Other: IMDB
Made in association with: Adaptive Studios and Seed&Spark
Funders: JustFilms/Ford Foundation, Latino Public Broadcasting, Firelight Media, Tribeca All Access, BAVC National Mediamaker Fellowship, City of Austin Cultural Arts Division
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? TBA