El Colmadon: A Film By Michael Bueno

Hi everyone, my name is Michael Bueno, I'm a second-generation immigrant who is one short film away from getting their Master of Fine Arts at Emerson College. The topic of this film is something I hold very near and dear to my heart, bodegas and the cultural importance they have in immigrant communities. I grew up between New York City and the Dominican Republic before moving to a little town in Massachusetts. My mother owned a bodega when I was a teenager and aside from home, that became one of the only places I could speak my first language, Spanish. My biggest regret was not spending more time there and unknowingly, this became an oasis for me, a place where I can continue to experience my culture while also learning from other Latin-American "old heads." So I'm making this film as an homage to the Dominican immigrants in pursuit of the American dream, the immigrants that make it happen by any means necessary and to honor the hard work my mother put in to achieve her dreams.

I wouldn't have made it this far if it wasn't for the help from friends I've received along the way, so I come to you all asking for just a little more help. No matter how much you choose to donate I appreciate you taking the time to help me make this film that highlights a snippet of my culture.

With much gratitude.

MB