SUMMARY.
When a female border patrol agent, Pammy, finds a young migrant in the Yuma Desert, the foundation on which her life has been built slowly begins to erode. The haunting encounter forces her to question her choices, career and relationships. Torn between the comfort of her unexamined values and a growing awareness of the human ties that transcend all borders, she must make a wrenching decision in order to follow her truth.
CREATIVE.
BASED ON THE PLAY BACKYARD/DESERT BY NANCY IRENE KELLY
Adapted by Nancy Irene Kelly & Ethan Felizzari-Castillo
Directed by Ethan Felizzari-Castillo
Director of Photography Valentina Caniglia
Produced by Stefanie Colón & Adam Del Valle
A film about the human ties that transcend all borders.
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DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT.
“I got involved with Backyard/Desert at a crucial point in my life back in 2018 when it only existed as a play. As a Latino creative, I found myself longing to find a theatrical piece that spoke to the issue of immigration the way this piece does.
So why THIS film & why NOW?
Backyard / Desert highlights the ongoing border crisis from a very unique standpoint. At its core, this film is a series of complex conversations among the individuals at the root of the problem: the people who enforce the biased, outdated laws. Rather than seeing Hispanic people have conversations about the flawed systems, Nancy Irene Kelly does wonders by writing about the people… excuse me… the WHITE people… who have fallen into a terrible cycle of false patriotism and belief in a country that has turned its back on so many.
This piece is so unbelievably important as it helps highlight many issues, but from a perspective that I believe can be extremely impactful for people who may have similar views to our characters. Getting the opportunity to adapt it for the screen with Nancy has been a joy and we cannot wait to see this film come to fruition.”
-Ethan Felizzari (Director & Producer)