Tijuana Makes Me Happy

Tijuana Makes Me Happy is a feature film based on real people in Tijuana, Mexico, directed by Dylan Verrechia, produced by James Lefkowitz and Pablo Tendilla, with original song title by Pepe Mogt from Nortec Collective.

Synopsis

Indio is a fourteen-year-old-boy who lives in Playas de Tijuana. Every day after school, Indio works at Sacramento’s ranch in the hopes of buying his own cockfighting rooster, el Gyro. When his dad refuses to help him buy the rooster, Indio starts selling empanadas and washing cars. One day, after he skips school to play with his friends, Indio meets Brianda, a young prostitute working in the red light district. As time passes, Indio learns what it means to make money, a tough journey that takes him cross the border, from Montes Olímpicos to San Diego. Greed however takes the best of Indio; neglecting his rooster, he fights el Gyro to win over the love of Brianda.

Tijuana

Tijuana has always been thought of as a hub for the vulgar tourist to purge his appetite for tequila, sex, and marijuana. Its reputation for violence and prostitution has been blown out of proportion. The goal in this film is to break down the preconceived notion of Tijuana as a city of sin by showing the humanity of its people: their struggle, the strength of character, and the love of life that flourishes within. To show that Tijuana is also in its own rite a melting pot rich in culture, a place where people from all over Mexico come to work and live, people who are genuine and whose stories deserve to be heard.

Tijuana Makes Me Happy is the result of three years of research, travel, and living in Tijuana. In that time the filmmakers met warm and caring people who proudly opened their lives and shared their stories.

Tijuana Makes Me Happy goes where no other film has dared to go. The goal of this film was not to make another commercial movie, but to tell a bare-bone story (without pretense) about a young boy coming of age in Tijuana, Mexico. To depict a true image of life in Tijuana, one that would celebrate the people and their way of life, one that would show the happiness. Tijuana Makes Me Happy was received with enthusiasm and joy during a recent screening at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, The Cine Mexico, The Museum of Contemporary Art of San Diego, and The Baja California Film Festival. That in itself is already part of the success.

For more information visite the official website: www.welcometotijuana.us

Crew, cast and original music

Productions companies: 25th Frame and Palenque Filmaciones

Crew: Dylan Verrechia (Director), James Lefkowitz (Producer), Pablo Tendilla Rocha (Producer), Pepe Mogt (Nortec Collective), Aidee Gonzalez (Casting), Leonardo Costa-Gomes and Julio Molina (Sound), Lupita Tendilla Ortiz (Make Up).

Cast: Pablo Tendilla Ortiz (Indio); Pablo Tendilla Rocha (Jhonny); Aidee Gonzalez (Rebecca); Darina Rabago Soto (Brianda); Jorge Hernández (Sacramento); Luis Carmona Arochi (Luis); Ivan Equihua Carlos (Pescado); Marco Carmona Arochi (Marcos); Raul Rodri¬guez Rodri¬guez (Ruli); Alejandro Ramirez Achutegui (Fidel); Pablo Jimenez Rivera (Tocallo)

Original music by: Pepe Mogt (Fussible) from Nortec Collective who wrote the original song Tijuana Makes Me Happy. Additional music by Lila Downs and Soxiedad Anónima.

External links

Official website: [www.welcometotijuana.us] Company website: [www.25thframe.com] Director's website: [www.dylanverrechia.com]