After leaving her family in Mexico and moving to Ontario for school, a young woman learns to embrace her independence and culture in the community around her.
SYNOPSIS
Fronteras follows Mariana Rafael Alcaraz, a 19 year old international student from Aguascalientes, Mexico and her move to Canada for post-secondary. She recounts her feelings of nostalgia, disconnect then belonging as she finds community with fellow international students in the Latin club. |
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SOCIALS
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THE LATIN CLUB
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This film was made to encapsulate the feelings of loneliness and disconnect in young adult students but became a film that embodies the feeling international students face a lot harder than anyone else. We think it's absolutely important to provide a home within this film for anyone and everyone that have felt different and left out at any point in their lives. Hearing that we have a club in Sheridan for Latin American students gave us a whole new direction in this film; one that would create a wider community for the better. Collaborating with some of the members of the club and working to create a film filled with their culture, was so eye opening. It reminded us that community is real and there are people out there for everyone.
Thank you to the Latin Club for letting us collaborate and help us make our film possible. ♡ |
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BEHIND THE SCENES
PRE-PRODUCTION
DAY ONE PRODUCTION |
DAY TWO PRODUCTION |
MEET THE CREW
ANA PAULA DOMENZAINCreator/DirectorBeing the creator and director of the documentary Fronteras. I wanted to tell this story for people that are going through the same situation, I wanted to showcase the feeling of leaving your country, family and friends, to live in a different one for a better future.
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AMY DE VOSCreator/Writer/Production DesignerI had the idea because the feeling of disconnect and isolation is a feeling everyone feels at one time or another. After speaking to Ana about the idea, it became the story of an international student who doesn’t get to see her family much at all. It became a story that reminded people that they are not alone.
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JACOB SMITHProducerThe importance of this project and its relativity to so many people made it an easy decision to help out however I could!
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NICO CARIATIProducerI think it's really important to take the time to appreciate our backgrounds, cultures, and where we all came from and this documentary not only highlights that, but how we can preserve our culture, no matter where we are in the world.
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ISABELLA GENTILEProduction Manager/ProducerAs someone with a big family I know how hard it can be to be away from them. So excited to be a part of this amazing doc!
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MATTHEW NOLANScript EditorWhen I first heard the pitch of the documentary ‘Fronteras’, I knew I had to become involved in the production in some way. The story of Mariana and her journey moving to Canada is an inspiring and a fresh vision. The goal of the documentary of reminding students that their community is willing to take them is incredibly powerful and it’s an honor for me to help with it. I’m stoked to be helping adapt this vision along with an incredible crew.
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VERONICA THURSTONDirector of PhotographyI have always wanted to work with Amy and Ana so when they offered me the position of DoP, I was very happy. During the beginning years of college, I dealt with a lot of homesickness. I could not even imagine how difficult it must be for international students. This documentary is a great way to tell Mariana’s story and allow other people feeling alone or disconnected from their family/culture to feel seen.
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CLAUDIA ROOT1st ACI think the message behind this doc is very inspiring and is a story that many people will be able to relate to. I believe that everyone deserves to have a sense of community and support no matter where you are from. I can’t wait to help bring this doc to life :)
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KHAI PENDERGHASTGafferMy family plays an important part in my life, and after reading the pitch, I was invested. Its a film filled with family and importance of culture alike.
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MADELYN TATELocation Sound RecordistI really enjoy the story of this project and I’m so glad i get to work on it
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FERNANDA ALARCONPost SoundWhat drew me to this project was Ana — her pitch and the story she wanted to tell immediately intrigued me. It’s a story many of us can connect with and relate to on a personal level. Being part of this project as a sound designer is both an honor and a privilege, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to help communicate stories like this one.
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LAUREN JOHNSONPA/GripI’m excited to work with a talented crew and be part of telling this story
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THOMÁS FREIREEditorI’m really glad to be part of this crew and contribute to such an important topic. As someone who moved here nine years ago and had to adapt to a new country and culture, I understand what it’s like to be in a completely new place. I’m looking forward to helping craft a meaningful story while working with this great team!
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JACQUELINE JURCAAssistant EditorI think a documentary about family and connection is really nice, so I was excited to work on this!
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ALEJANDRO JARAMILLOConsultant editorAs a student that left his country to pursue my education, I relate to the story a lot
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ANDREA TABINIVFX ArtistWorking with Amy and Ana is always a treat, and when they first shared their story with me, I was quite sentimental. Feeling lonely is universal, and as someone who had to move away from family, I could relate immensely to Mariana’s story. I was asked to join to help bring Mariana’s memories to life, to represent her story visually. I am honored to be apart of this project, and I hope others who watch it understand that they are not truly alone.
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SKYLAR GREENHILLColoristI am so thrilled to work on this project to help bring Ana’s vision to life. The story being told is so important and I can’t wait to add to it in post production.
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CLAIRE GAMBLEDigital ArtistI’m thrilled to be the digital artist for Fronteras. As the youngest of six kids, I’ve always valued the sense of connection that comes with family. Though I’ve never lived away from home, I can imagine how powerful it is to build community in a new place, and I think this documentary captures that beautifully. I’m excited to bring Ana and Amy’s vision to life through a visual piece that reflects the heart of Mariana's story.
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ESTEBAN RIVEROS-YEPEZBTS PhotographerWhen Ana reached out to me about documenting the filming process I was very excited to be able to share in this project as a fellow Latino person.
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LACHLAN SUTHERLANDBTS/GripI was excited to collaborate with so many talented people to share the importance of how everyone’s cultural and national identities both unite us and makes us unique
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CARA MCNALLYTransmediaWhen I was asked to come help out on this project, I was excited to see what I could bring to the table. I have a big family and whenever I visit them I find it hard to leave but still know I have the memories I can carry with me, and I think that this doc really shows the importance of where you come from and your ties to your family.
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NAIMA PINTOTransmediaI asked to help on this project because I've spent a lot of time away from home for school, and I connect with what this doc is about. That made me want to be a part of it. I want to help make sure this doc gets the attention it deserves, and that's why I signed up to be on transmedia.
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‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹ OUR COMPOSERS ‧₊˚♪ 𝄞₊˚⊹
JOSE TAVERAComposerI'm Joes Tavera, a professional musician and composer with 5+ years of experience. As a Colombian guy who also immigrated to Canada to study music, I'm excited to participate in this project in a way to show the feelings of an immigrant into a new country with a whole new culture and a new way to see how life is.
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KAVITA LOGANComposerI am excited to make emotional music to signify the importance and relatability of the feelings Mariana experiences. The endless cycle of homesickness, thinking about everything you've left behind, things lost to the past.
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