Ale (18) and Rocio’s (13) relationship is faced with the greatest challenge possible when their mother is imprisoned under dubious charges. They have to act as father and mother to their two younger siblings. Initially they promise to help each other and keep their family together until their mother is released. But as undocumented Honduran immigrants their right to live, work and study in Mexico was already under threat.

Interview with Director Pau Ortiz

Watch The other side of the wall on Prime Video

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Before I started working on this film I was making films about middle-class emotional dramas in Spain but when I went to Mexico I realized that there were people going through very difficult situations but they would confront those situations with dignity and courage. When I met people like Ale and Rocio in Mexico, they really inspired me and I realized I wanted to make films which portrayed the lives of people like them. From that point I founded the production company "Intactes" together with Maria López Martin with the goal of telling stories like this one.

The other side of the wall- Ale talks about his thoughts on camera.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Because it is a very inspirational film. To see how Ale and Rocio deal with hard situations with self-esteem and a good sense of humor helps you deal with your own worries with a different perspective.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

On a personal level I portray the intimate relationship between two siblings who share their fears and desires with the audience through raw interviews in the film. At the same time I talk about immigration, a universal theme that a lot of people can relate to either because they are inmigrants or because they are in touch with with inmigrants. Through the film it is clear that the characters suffer discrimination in Mexico because they are from Honduras and this is a point of view that is rarely portrayed.

Everybody knows that Mexican inmigrants are discriminated in Mexico but in this film I wanted to show how vulnerable and disciminated Hondurans are in Mexico.

The other side of the wall - Rocio playing with her little brother David.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

During the filming we included a lot of emotional complexity that we hadn't expected initially because I realized the character had a lot to give and they were very keen to share their stories. On the other hand the narrative structure I had planned initially changed quite a lot during the editing stage as this stage is the point where you have the time to observe and take decisions with perspective.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been really great so far. At the end of each screening people come to say how amazed they were about how close we were to the characters, how amazing and charismatic they are, how intimate, realistic and touching the film was.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Well, it's surprising to see how each person relates to different moments in the film. Some people tell me how touching a particular scene or moment was for them and for another person that special touching moment was a completely different one. Also, it is interesting to see how different people relate more with Ale and others relate more to Rocio.

The other side of the wall - Rocio thinking

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I think "we are moving stories" is a great platform that will help the film reach bigger audiences. I want this unique story to reach further and be seen.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

At the minute what we are looking for are film festival directors and journalists that will help us share the film with bigger audiences around the globe. What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have? The film already had a very important impact. Thanks to Ambulante Film Festival in Mexico City the film was screened at the Senate of the Republic. The family was able to talk in front of the Senators about their situation and they committed to helping them sort out their papers in order to be legal in Mexico.

Apart from that I would love the film to be enjoyed by as many people as possible because I think Rocio and Ale have the power to inspire and teach us some things.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

The key question that sparks debate is the title "THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL". Generally when people come to see this movie they are convinced they will see a story about the famous wall that we hear about on the news between Mexico and the US.

So then the film finishes, there is often debate about this. Audience realize the "WALL" we talk about in the film is not the one between EU and Mexico. The "WALL" we talked about in the film is the prison WALL that keeps the siblings away from her mother, the emotional WALL that is built between Ale and Rocio, the discrimination WALL that exists between Mexicans and Central Americans.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

They are working on their next project "TRANS", the story of a 18 year old girl who decided to change sex and become a man and the reflection he undergoes about gender and acceptance when his 15 year old brother tells him he wants to change sex too and become a girl.

Interview: May 2017

_______________________________________________________________________________

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

_______________________________________________________________________________

The other side of the wall

Length: 68min

Director: Pau Ortiz

Producer: María Nova López, Emiliano Altuna, Carlos Rossini, Tatiana García

About the writer, director and producer:

DIRECTOR: His style has been shaped by his fascination with human relationships. That is why he also decided to study Psychology. As a Director he tries to capture the human angle. He is dedicated to film stories that empower characters and promote social change.

MARIA NOVA LOPEZ

Key cast: The Rico Family

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Film festival directors, journalists, buyers, audience

Social media handles:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theothersideofthewalldoc

Twitter: www.twitter.com/otherside_doc

Made in association with: Intactes and Bambú Audiovisual

Where can I see it in the next month?

MAY 7th - 1 PM Aga Khan Museum TORONTO

MAY 25th and 28th - DOCS BARCELONA International Film Festival