Short Film "NO SABO" - Bridging Cultural Gaps

Hi!

I'm Gabriella, a first-generation Peruvian-American who is currently sourcing additional help on a short film I am doing! More info on the project and on who I am as a filmmaker below. Lookbook can be found here.

Title:

NO SABO.

Context:

No Sabo is a derogatory phrase often used when language-shaming young Latinx generations who are not fluent in Spanish. The term is based on the Spanish expression no sé (I don't know).

The term has evolved from a negative label to a cultural identity embraced by some, particularly on social media, who are pushing back against the pressure to speak perfect Spanish.

Logline:

A Peruvian-American daughter returns to her hometown, only to find she and her mother have grown into strangers.

Tonal Comparisons:

Think Lady Bird, but with Latinas.

World:

When Camilla is exposed for not being able to speak Spanish, she’s quickly grows insecure about being gentrified or worse—a white girl. Finding herself lost, unsure of where to fit in and who to be, Camilla is forced to reflect on her mother’s immigrant experience and her assimilation into the United States as she returns to her middle-of-nowhere hometown.

However, once back “home,” Camilla’s cultural identity crisis only drives her to butt heads with her mother like there's no tomorrow—driving them even more apart than they already were.

We follow Camilla and her mother as they are forced accept one another, finally learning to listen; No matter how hard, or loud, the conversation gets.

Why $6k?

As a small-budget production, I'm hoping to shoot short film that also acts as a proof of concept to the feature-length screenplay. The $6k would assist in fair wages, craft meals, trash bins, etc.!

Why this story now?

NO SABO is for those living the other half of the immigrant experience -- Caught in a confusing, cultural limbo that is navigating identity. As a fellow No Sabo kid myself, I crafted this story not just for other Latinx folks, but for all first and second-gens who can’t seem to fit in anywhere. Our media representation is often filled with offensive cliches and to be able to showcase a girl, who happens to be Latina, experiencing universal, relatable coming of age issues, could be a great window into more media representation that does not include deportation, cartel, or any type of maid storylines. Looking at the most well known Latinx stories and characters, it's dissappointing to see what is out there and I would love to finally be able to see myself on screen.

My biggest appreciation in advance to those who donate. <3

Screenplay is available upon request.