LAS 17 (Short Film)

Based on a true story in El Salvador, 2004: A young, pregnant Salvadorian woman finds herself handcuffed to a hospital bed after suffering a miscarriage.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Having first-hand access to our real life protagonist heroes, Cristina Quintanilla and Dennis Muñoz, has enabled me to write these characters with integrity. I am motivated to create a narrative piece that will bring audiences closer by truly engaging them in their experience. It would be a gift to bring their story to the screen, and share knowledge where many are unaware.

It is my duty to protect and amplify the voices of the Latinx community by maintaining its cultural authenticity and filming the dialogue in Spanish, their native language. It is also my intention to proceed with the goal of hiring POC talent, crew members, translators, and consultants adding immense value in the cultivation of this project.

This is not a stance on pro-life or pro-choice, as this matter is not black and white. Our message is to educate audiences in raising awareness, especially during this very relevant time.

As a woman, I am outraged to know this conduct is not only a reality, but also shutter at the thought of this injustice continuing to spread in the United States... right NOW. This subject has become incredibly poignant with numerous southern and midwest states actively passing bills to carry out the very same violating laws, building an unsafe environment for women’s health and reproductive rights, especially in poor communities.

This film is essentially a depiction of the negative impact and severe damage these laws will and continue to have on human lives. But also emulating the example of how change is inspired, and bringing the unheard voice to the forefront.

Now more than ever, this story needs to be told.

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