All They Will Call You: The Documentary
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28 Mexicans died in a 1948 deportation flight. No names. Just “deportees.”
ALL THEY WILL CALL YOU is a feature-length documentary reclaiming their names, stories, and dignity.
No studio backing—just people power.
Donate. Share. Help rewrite history.
MISSION STATEMENT
ALL THEY WILL CALL YOU is a feature-length documentary that restores dignity to the 28 anonymous Mexican workers who lost their lives in a tragic plane crash as they were being deported in 1948. The film follows my 15-year quest as I went searching for the victims' families, captured their memories, recovered their buried legacy, published two award-winning books about my journey, and ultimately inspired the state of California to formally recognize this historical injustice.
WHY YOU SHOULD SUPPORT THIS PROJECT
We're not waiting for a studio to tell it. We're counting on YOU to help make it happen! As public grants and funding are being slashed and gutted, we are relying strictly on people power.
By supporting this film you are supporting a story that has, in book form, already been generating meaningful dialogue across the U.S., but will have a much greater and far-reaching impact as a feature-length documentary film.
THE STORY
ALL THEY WILL CALL YOU follows the fifteen-year journey of author Tim Z. Hernandez as he investigates the buried history of the 1948 plane crash in Los Gatos Canyon, California. Using a docu-detective, road movie approach to the story, Hernandez seeks to uncover/discover the names of the Mexican passengers killed in the crash and buried in a mass grave in California’s central valley. While the casualties were reported simply as “deportees” by American newspapers, the legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie composed a popular protest song that memorialized the victims and raised provocative questions about whose lives we recognize and remember. Guthrie’s song was recorded by folk music icons such as Bob Dylan, Peter Seeger, Joan Baez, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, and countless others.
Seven decades later, Tim Z. Hernandez, the son of migrant farmworkers, sets out on a journey into the past, through the heart of California’s agricultural belt, and across central Mexico. The story is part historical investigation, part personal calling, narrated by Hernandez, and documented over a span of fifteen years. With his investigative approach, he tracks down the relatives of the victims, uncovers the names and identities of the 28 Mexicans who were left faceless and nameless in their death, and recovers their dignity stripped many years ago. Dramatic twists and missing clues reveal a hidden tragedy with universal resonance—the untold stories and extraordinary lives of ordinary individuals. The documentary is based on Hernandez’s two highly acclaimed books which chronicle his journey, “All They Will Call You” (2017) and “They Call You Back” (2024).
WHY NOW?
Today, as mass deportations once again wreak havoc in our communities, we revisit one such case that resulted in a profound tragedy, and see the rippling effect it has had on generations that came after, not only in the lives of the 28 Mexican passengers, but also in the lives of the four American crew members and eyewitnesses.
"All They Will Call You" asks us to confront a difficult but essential question: What price are we willing to pay for policies that strip people of their humanity?
Regardless of where we stand on immigration, this film highlights the basic truth that we are all connected, and every human is worthy of dignity, respect, and justice.
A PERSONAL MESSAGE...
WHERE YOUR SUPPORT GOES
Total Goal: $25,000 (Production costs for Phase 2: travel, equipment, and wages)
Funds raised are specifically to help us complete Phase 2 of Production (see timeline). We still need to film in a handful of locations including (Central California, Jalisco and Michoacan, Mexico, New York City, El Paso), where we have some key interviews that we still need to get, and we also need more b-roll to enhance the context and visual aesthetic of the story.
PROJECT TIMELINE
- Phase 1: Development, Fundraising, Production (Dec 2010 - May 2025) Research, initial fundraising for production, interviews, travel, writing two books on the subject, trailer creation. ***COMPLETED***
- Phase 2: Production (Dec 2010 – Dec 2025). Research, writing two books on the subject, travel, interviews/ filming on location, b-roll.***NEAR COMPLETION***
- Phase 3: Post Production (Nov 2025 – June 2026) Editorial/ finishing, footage organization, rough cut, fine cut, color grading, sound design.
- Phase 4: Festivals, Release, Impact (August 2026 – Onward) Festival submissions, screenings, promotional materials, impact campaign
EXTENDED GOALS
Should we reach our immediate goal of $25,000 for Production Phase 2, every additional dollar will go toward Post Production and seeing the film to completion. Here’s how your continued support will help:
- Post-Production: Includes editing, sound design, color correction, and final mastering to ensure the film is polished, deliverable, and ready for audiences.
- Marketing & Impact: To create impactful visuals, trailers, press kits, and a targeted impact campaign that assures the film reaches wider audiences.
- Film Festival Submissions: Entry fees, shipping, and promotional materials to bring our film to top festivals and community screenings where it can spark dialogue and build momentum.
INCENTIVES FOR YOUR SUPPORT
We are deeply regretful that we cannot at this time offer any incentives or giveaways in exchange for any donations made, as this does not comply with GoFundMe's Terms of Service. For those who've already donated we thank you and please know that we will be reaching out to you directly to thank you.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Contribute! No contribution is too small! Every dollar brings us closer to our goal, and you will have a hand in getting this important story out into the world.
- Share! Help us spread the word on social media, and through email, text, or by telling your friends and colleagues.
- Follow! Follow Tim's journey at his website www.timzhernandez.com and on his socials, Facebook and Instagram at @t.z.hernandez for updates.
PURCHASE BOOKS
A percentage of your purchase will go toward the funding of this documentary. You can buy your copies of "All They Will Call You" and "They Call You Back" at Literarity Bookshop. For personalized signed copies contact Bill Clark at Literary Book Shop, email: books(at)literarity(dot)com
PROJECT CONSULTANTS
Laurie Coyle , Documentary Filmmaker/ Producer
Carlos Avila , Director/ Producer
Ray Santisteban , Documentary Filmmaker/ Producer
Patty Rodriguez, Producer/ Screenwriter/ Entrepreneur
Jake Yeager, Mount Up Studios , Videography/ Drone
Organizer
TZ Hernandez
Organizer
El Paso, TX