A pregnant seamstress working in a sweatshop is sure that her condition will get her fired. She does everything she can to keep it a secret.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Selma Cervantes

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you!! I did it because I had bought a handmade mask during the pandemic, which, for some reason, made me believe that the product that was supposed to protect me from the virus was harming the lives of the people who had created it. I couldn't get my head around it. Once I realized that this practice was indeed happening in real life, I knew I had to say something.

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

What if I tell you that the people who sew our clothes are the ones who work the longest hours and get paid the least? Would you believe me? Unfortunately, this is a real story, something that happens regularly from Latin America to Asia.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Although the story takes place in a sewing shop, I wanted to focus on a specific woman going through a pregnancy in a tumultuous workplace. Following her day-to-day life and relating to her personal struggles led us to realize that the environment was, in fact, detrimental to its workers.

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

I started writing this script by myself, I had the idea of a pregnant girl inside a sweatshop, but it wasn't until my dear friend and co-writer, Indra, joined us that we put all the pieces of the story together.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Mostly we've received nice comments, I guess it's been positive but I'm waiting for its premiere in Mexico to see what my mom thinks. lol

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Yes, I have had people who have overanalyzed it, which for me is the greatest compliment, even if they have a different perspective, it has made me aware that this topic is worth talking about and maybe by doing so we can be more conscious of the things we buy or consume.

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

I would love to show this short film as much as possible, so to have the opportunity to talk about it on wearemovingstories.com is awesome, thank you. Hopefully, Sweatshop Girl will catch people's attention.

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

Film festival directors and journalists, that's what we're trying to reach to broaden our audience.

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

I honestly don't know, part of me wants to have a positive impact on the people who watch it but having other kinds of opinions is important too. So I'll let it be and wish for the best.

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

Did you know that there are some industries in Mexico where women can be fired just for being pregnant?

Would you like to add anything else?

Thanks, We Are Moving Stories.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

If you have the opportunity, visit the brand Veleta, https://www.veleta.com.mx/ by our friend and costume designer Jimena Garate, who rescues textiles from old paragliders or sailboats and turns them into a new piece of clothing. You won't regret it!

Interview: May 2023

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

Sweatshop Girl

A pregnant seamstress working in a sweatshop is sure that her condition will get her fired. She does everything she can to keep it a secret.

Length: 16:40

Director: Selma Cervantes

Producer: Solange Alonso Caballero, Selma Cervantes, Bruno Gaeta, Natasha Dupeyron, Yago Muñoz, Jim Stark

Writer: Selma Cervantes, Indra Villaseñor Amador

About the writer, director and producer:

SELMA CERVANTES is a Mexican director and screenwriter. Her first short film, Manchester Acatitla, was nominated for the Best Short Film Award by the Mexican Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Her second short film, Sweatshop Girl, premiered in 2023 at the Sundance Film Festival.

Key cast: Yalitza Aparicio Martínez, Mariana Villegas, Amorita Rasgado, Juan Carlos Medellín, Juan Pablo de Santiago

Looking for: journalists, film festival directors and producers

Twitter: @selmajcamx

Instagram: @selmajcamx, @sweatshop.girl

Hashtags used: #sweatshopgirl #chicadefabrica

Other: IMDb