Adiós Abuelita tells the story of Christian, a second-generation Cuban American, as he struggles to deliver a eulogy before sending his Abuela's ashes out to sea.
Adiós Abuelita tells the story of Christian, a second-generation Cuban American, as he struggles to deliver a eulogy before sending his Abuela's ashes out to sea.
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Story
Mission Statement
"Adiós Abuelita" explores grief and the gradual loss of culture through familial generations. The film balances drama and comedy to shine a light on relatable feelings for Americanized generations of immigrant families.About The Project
Adiós Abuelita follows Christian, a second-generation Cuban American, as he struggles to deliver a eulogy before sending his Abuela's ashes out to sea.
This story comes straight from writer/director Anthony Romaguera's life, although dramatized because Abuelita's enjoy a good bit of drama.
With some of Abuelita's ashes put into a biodagradable seashell, all Christian needs to do is say a few thoughtful words and let the ocean take the seashell out of his hands, where it will dissolve and the ashes will drift off. Sounds simple enough, right?
For Christian, it doesn't feel like he's only lost his beloved Abuelita. It feels like a part of his culture died with her.
We hope you’ll indulge us in our brief synopsis of the film as there are some surprises we think are best left unspoiled. We are proud of the current state of the film, and your contributions will only make the film better.
To visually communicate Christian's emotions, the decision was made to set the film during sunset, specifically the time of day when golden hour turns to blue hour. The story plays out in real time so color correction is vital to portray that change in light in a natural and non-distracting way. This film’s special care for color correction will mean more sessions with our colorist and more billed hours. The same goes for sound design as the film entirely takes place on the ocean shore, so working with the crashing waves and making sure the dialogue is clean and interpretable will require as equal care as color correction.
And then there's the matter of what do we do once the film is complete. Again, the team is proud of the film's progress, and we are eager to share this movie that means so much to us, and we feel has the potential to connect with audiences everywhere. We plan to submit the Adiós Abuelita to film festivals, which comes with submission fees. Your contributions will help us get the film seen.
Our plan is to tackle the finishing process (VFX, color correction, sound editing/mixing) throughout the summer, starting in May and wrapping by August, then submitting to festivals from there.
Any amount helps. We are so appreciative of any contribution or even simply sharing this page. You truly are helping us make the best possible product out of this personal film.
Thank you.
Incentives
$15
Cafecito
For $15, we'll give you a shout-out on our social media!
$25
Croquetas
For $25, you will receive a digital link to the finished film upon completion and immediate access to the unreleased teaser of the film, along with the incentive above.
$50
Rice and Beans
For $50, you will receive a Miami-themed Spotify playlist along with the incentives above.
$100
Tostones
For $100, you will receive a link to the finished film with a filmmaker commentary track and private links for two previous projects from Park Bench Pictures, Fracture and The Show Must Go On, upon completion of the campaign, along with the incentives above.
$250
Cubano
For $250, you'll get a personalized thank you video from the director along with the incentives above.
$500
Ropa Vieja
For $500, you'll get your name in the credits of the film along with the incentives above.
$1,000
Tres Leches
For $1,000, you'll receive an Associate Producer's credit along with the incentives above.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$15
Cafecito
For $15, we'll give you a shout-out on our social media!
$25
Croquetas
For $25, you will receive a digital link to the finished film upon completion and immediate access to the unreleased teaser of the film, along with the incentive above.
$50
Rice and Beans
For $50, you will receive a Miami-themed Spotify playlist along with the incentives above.
$100
Tostones
For $100, you will receive a link to the finished film with a filmmaker commentary track and private links for two previous projects from Park Bench Pictures, Fracture and The Show Must Go On, upon completion of the campaign, along with the incentives above.
$250
Cubano
For $250, you'll get a personalized thank you video from the director along with the incentives above.
$500
Ropa Vieja
For $500, you'll get your name in the credits of the film along with the incentives above.
$1,000
Tres Leches
For $1,000, you'll receive an Associate Producer's credit along with the incentives above.
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Anthony Romaguera
Writer/Director
Anthony Romaguera is a filmmaker born and raised in Miami, Florida and now based out of New York City. From the early days of running around with a low-rate digital camera to the lessons learned at Florida State University Film School, Anthony has always enjoyed working with a small group of friends making something personal. Over the years those friends got more talented, and the films got considerably better.
Nathan Crane Cohen
Producer
Nathan is a Producer, Director, DP, and aspiring interesting person. He is the co-owner of Park Bench Pictures, a production company in New York City. He and Anthony have been making movies together for over ten years.
Iliana Ipes
Cinematographer
Iliana Ipes is a Latinx cinematographer who has a passion for visually exploring stories about people whose narratives are not often told. She loves challenging seemingly cemented ideas of sexuality, gender and race while interweaving the theme of human connection. Her goal is to help create content with real and complex characters that she wishes 10-year-old Iliana could have seen on TV. Being behind the camera comes second only to watching a futbol game with her Abuelo and eating her abuela's peaches and merengue cake.
Chris Lopez
Actor
Isadora Leiva
Actor
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