A group of troubled teens from a low-income community break into “Los Ricos”, the local mansion with a border fence, in order to forget their difficult lives and experience a different one.

Interview with Writer/Director Laura Somers and Writer David Saldaña

Watch Rich Kids on Prime Video

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! The goal was to make a socially conscious film with truthful characters and a strong story that would resonate with people. Specifically, we wanted to shine a light on the current American economic struggle and portray Latinos differently from the stereotypes we've seen so many times. It was also extremely important to us to provide quality opportunities for the women (both cast and key crew) that made this production possible.

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

We hope first and foremost that Rich Kids is an entertaining story and that’s why you want to watch it, that it moves you emotionally and takes you on a journey and perhaps you change a little by the end. If you have a Hispanic/Latino background, most likely you haven’t had many opportunities to see other characters that look like you on screen in starring roles and Rich Kids gives you that experience. You should watch the film because mostly you’re used to seeing Latino characters cast as a very narrow stereotype and this is going to change your perceptions. And if you’ve ever fantasized about breaking into someone’s home to see how the other half lives, this film is for you.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

They are completely intertwined. It’s hard being young and not knowing who you are regardless of your income bracket. You do a lot exploring and you make a lot of mistakes. We wanted to combine that frequently awkward search for identity with the struggle of being a “have not” in world that celebrates and glorifies the “haves”.

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

The project has really blossomed beyond our imagination. What’s beautiful is that there are so many talented craftspeople who helped make the film happen—so many moving parts and so much ownership. And of course we have to mention that Rich Kids was crowdfunded twice. Friends, family, co-workers, old school mates, they all believed in us. It’s tremendous.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

So far the feedback has been quite positive. It started with the cast and crew who came on board the project because they loved the script. We were really gratified when the actors felt a personal connection with their characters. It shows in the finished product. We had good test screenings with different types of audiences and it seems to offer something for a wide variety of viewers. And festival programmers have had some really constructive things to say as well. People are really responding to the nuances of the story and performances.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged you point of view?

The surprise to us is that so many different people are enjoying something that started out as such a small and personal story. We put a lot of ourselves into the script. The movie is a real passion project. Sometimes that gets used in sort of a derogatory way but maybe people want to see some more passion out there! It’s independent film and we need different points of view, more diversity-- on the page, behind the camera, in the edit bay, at the post production houses, on the soundtracks, and on the screen.

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

This project has been completely grassroots from inception to completion. Now we’re starting to take it out onto the road and we’ve chosen to continue that indie grassroots spirit in our current distribution plan. We’re looking for our champions who will help us continue to spread the word about the film, whether that’s through film festivals, streaming platforms, Tugg, and many other ways we probably haven’t even thought about yet. We’ve even started getting invitations to screen at colleges and high schools. And we want to go there – because the film is ultimately for our young people.

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 film festival directors to bring us to their cities, journalists to review the film, social media influencers, sponsors or partners, theatrical bookers, experienced publicists. We’ve been working for three years, and while we’re not slowing down anytime soon, we could use some fresh perspective on this next leg of the journey. We’ve never done this distribution part before.

Rich Kids - Writer/Director Laura Somers at right

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

We would like to get our film into every Latino kid’s home so they know they are valued, to tell them that they are not who the mainstream entertainment likes to tell them they are. Rich Kids features real people grappling with universal problems, we hope that it helps viewers see Hispanic/Latino American’s humanity, to see an unseen part of their experience so that we can come closer together.

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

How does Rich Kids reflect what’s happening in our country today?

Would you like to add anything else?

If you’d like to stay informed about Rich Kids and it’s progress, screenings, and digital release, we encourage you to sign up for our mailing list at www.richkidsthemovie.com

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Co-writer David Saldaña is working on a webseries called Homeschool High and a novel called The Well. Producer Eddie Rodriguez is working to amplify Houston filmmakers, lending a hand to local productions. Director of Photography Eun-ah Lee continues shooting independent films, commercials, and tv series around the globe. Editor Carmen Morrow is currently developing her own documentary, Reindeer Spirit, and is an Assistant Editor on Impulse, a series for YouTube Red. Co-writer/Director Laura Somers is currently developing new ideas for the next film. Actor Ulysses Montoya will soon be appearing in a film by Robert Rodriguez.

Interview: March 2018

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, 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

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Rich Kids

A group of troubled teens from a low-income community break into “Los Ricos”, the local mansion with a border fence, in order to forget their difficult lives and experience a different one.

Length: 97 min

Director: Laura Somers

Producer: Laura Somers, Eddie Rodriguez

Writer: Laura Somers & David Saldaña

About the writer, director and producer:

Key cast: Gerardo Velasquez, Justin Rodriguez, Michelle Magallon, Ulysses Montoya, Naomê Antoinette, Alessandra Mañon

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

Sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists, social media influencers, sponsors or partners, theatrical bookers, experienced publicists.

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richkidsthemovie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/richkidsmovie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richkidsthemovie/

Other: https://www.richkidsthemovie.com/

Funders: crowdfunding and self funded

Where can I see it in the coming months?

Houston Latino Film Festival march 24, Phoenix Film Festival April 6,7,8, sign up for our mailing list at www.richkidsthemovie.com for more festivals, screenings, and release