Social Impact Media Awards - Through The Wall
A short documentary about a family divided by the US/Mexico border. Abril is living undocumented in the United States with her 2 year-old boy Julián. Julián’s father was stopped by police for a minor traffic incident and was deported back to Mexico. In order to see each other, Uriel, Abril and Julián must cross difficult terrain to reach the border fence where they spend time together through the wall.
Interview with Writer/Director Tim Nackashi
Watch Through The Wall here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! A few years ago I learned about people who had to meet at the actual border wall in order to actually see each other physically. I wanted to create an on-the-ground, humanizing glimpse of the people caught up in this situation.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Two people hitch-hike and cross difficult terrain to reach the border where they have family day through the tiny holes in the wall while armed border agents watch over them and other families. It struck me pretty hard. Perhaps it will hit you too..
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
My goal from the beginning of this filmmaking process was to focus solely on the human condition and the real existential crisis that Abril, Julián, Uriel and others in this situation face. If the film's themes of togetherness and emotional separation come through, it is because we as filmmakers got out of the way and let Abril and Uriel's situation speak for itself.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
Interesting question. Originally I wanted to make a silent film that simply followed the two main characters from each of their homes to the wall. But of course I did some interviews during the shoot, and during the edit I realized that these did so much more to draw you into their lives and situation.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Feedback has been incredible and incredibly mixed! On the one hand, the film has been featured in lots of press and screened at many festivals. And we even received an IMAGEN award! But there were lots of angry comments on it too. Although we weren't hoping to create a politically divisive piece, it is nonetheless obviously a divisive topic.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Yes and no. The positive feedback from the press and commenters has made me feel that the story of this undocumented couple resonates with people. But there were quite a lot of pro-Trump comments that were strangely mean. The new era of anonymity seems to have invited a new kind of irrational pitchfork waving madness...
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We're hoping that more people will get a glimpse of this surreal situation that the mother and father and their child are caught in, and to calm down the political fever, taking this down to the basic conversation about humanity and inclusiveness.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
This was a passion project that everyone in our crew took on for next to nothing. And it seems to have gotten some sparks online which is very exciting. We're hoping to have it featured on TV, radio, podcasts and anywhere it can find it's growing audience.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
It would be amazing if this film could guide the dialogue about immigrants, Dreamers and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). I think we can all agree that when a child is caught in the crossfire, the political ramifications can take a back seat.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
What responsibility does the US play in this situation? And what can Mexico also do to help alleviate this situation for its citizens?
Would you like to add anything else?
I felt incredibly lucky to be working with the team we had on both sides of the border!
Interview: January 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. 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
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Through The Wall
A short documentary about a family divided by the US/Mexico border. Abril is living undocumented in the United States with her 2 year-old boy Julián. Julián’s father was stopped by police for a minor traffic incident and was deported back to Mexico. In order to see each other, Uriel, Abril and Julián must cross difficult terrain to reach the border fence where they spend time together through the wall.
Length: 6:00
Director: Tim Nackashi
Producer: Chelo Alvarez-Stehle & Tim Nackashi
Writer: Tim Nackashi
About the writer, director and producer:
Through The Wall - Bios
Directed by Tim Nackashi
Produced by Chelo Alvarez-Stehle & Tim Nackashi
Bios
Tim Nackashi is known for the feature documentary DIRTY WORK, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, in addition to his Grammy and VMA-nominated experimentations in music videos, including the first ever, live, one-take music video shoot for Death Cab for Cutie's YOU ARE A TOURIST.
Award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Chelo Alvarez-Stehle’s was Tokyo and US West Coast correspondent for Spain’s El Mundo. Her work appeared in Planeta Humano, Geo, Ajoblanco, The Malibu Times, The Huffington Post, Documentary, etc. She produced/directed, among others, the documentaries SOLD IN AMERICA and SANDS OF SILENCE: Waves of Courage.
Funders: Tim Nackashi
Made in association with: Border Angels