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Film Reviews Chris Eska's debut feature is about an undocumented Texas farm worker.... Film News And Views - Film Reviews - Chris Eska's debut feature is about an undocumented Texas farm worker.... Film Reviews,,Chris Eska's debut feature is about an undocumented Texas farm worker....,recommendation,shopping,advice,simple,movies,films,film news and views,news and views,film industy,movie reviews,film news,film,news,views,television,made for tv movies,interactive entertainment,hollywood,hollywood news,celebrity news,insiders perspective,film reviewer,watch film,film trailer,new releases,new release,new release movie,new release film,movie reviewer,opinion,viewpoint,forum,discussion
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Chris Eska's debut feature is about an undocumented Texas farm worker....
by Erik Sean McGiven on Jun 26, 2007
Chris Eska's debut feature is about an undocumented Texas
farm worker (non-pro Pedro Castanenda) who takes to the road with his widowed
daughter-in-law (newcomer Veronica Loren) after losing his wife and his job in
rapid succession. In this unhurried
drama the story centers on the conflict between generations and the difficulty
aging parents and grown children have in expressing both their love and
disappointment in each other. They attempt to resolve the push-pull disparity
between personal goals and desires and one's obligation to family. Change is
inevitable in this story and seeing the fabric of family torn apart then
patched up makes the journey exceedingly worth while.
The powerful, lived-in performances are the result of Eska's
concise direction and keen casting.
Pedro Castaneda actually spent his early days working as a migrant
farmer in Texas. Being this was his
first acting job he and Eska rehearsed for two months prior to production. He comes off looking like a pro. Veronica
Loren also took to her role adding a good amount of weight to give her
character a dowdy appearance. Repressed
and sadden you can feel the inner turmoil churning within her character as she
seeks to find peace. A stellar performance to say the least, one that could be
her breakout role. Abel Becerra and
Sandra Rios play the other siblings each reflecting the ever-changing family
dynamics with adept believability. Walter Perez's character plays the suitor
with warmth and sincerity, stretching the bonds of family.
<><>Cinematography by Yasu Tanida gathers up the
heartwarming/bittersweet aspects of the story composing them as if they were
postcards from the heart. The music,
with its repetitious motif reflects the energy of a rapidly beating heart
always anticipating hope and the road ahead.
The production, shot on location in and around San Antonio, contrasts
the beauty of the Texas landscape with that of disheveled and abandoned
buildings. Shot on a shoestring budget,
the production values are astounding.
Co-producer Connie Hills states, "Chris [Eska] wanted what little
money we had to show up on the screen.
It was a labor of love. The cast
and crew slept on air mattresses and local ladies contributed
casseroles." The logo "Migrant
Filmmakers" created by Yasu Tanida aptly describes the mood of this
shoot.
<>
Written and directed by Chris Eska, produced by Connie Hill
and Jason Wehling, cast includes Pedro Castaneda, Veronica Loren, Abel Becerra,
Walter Perez, Sandra Rios, Raquel Gavia, and Cesar Flores. Running time: 135
minutes.
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February 28, 2021
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