How to Say Goodbye
Athens, Georgia | Film Short
Family, Drama
How would you say a final goodbye to someone you love? How would you do it if you didn't speak the same language? How would you do it, if they didn't remember who you were? Linda, a "no sabo" 3rd gen Mexican American woman must answer these questions in order to say goodbye to her beloved abuelito.
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$1,872
Goal: $2,100 for pre-production
How would you say a final goodbye to someone you love? How would you do it if you didn't speak the same language? How would you do it, if they didn't remember who you were? Linda, a "no sabo" 3rd gen Mexican American woman must answer these questions in order to say goodbye to her beloved abuelito.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
How would you say a final goodbye to someone you love? How would you do it if you didn't speak the same language? How would you do it, if they didn't remember who you were? All of these questions are weighing on the mind of Linda, a "no sabo" 3rd generation Mexican American woman, when she enters the hospital room of her beloved Abuelito (Lito). He is dying of Dementia, and now only speaks his mother tongue, so when she walks in, saying an English goodbye, he is more annoyed than moved. She makes a second attempt, using her limited knowledge of Spanish to patch together a spanglish message. The result? Pure gibberish. Now, Lito is frustrated. He turns away, purposefully ignoring her. Linda, defeated, sits at his bedside and weeps. In a moment of pure human empathy, Lito recognizes that despite not knowing her, the woman next to him is suffering. He takes her hand and sings her a lullaby. Linda recognizes it and sings along. In the moments before he passes, they share an intimacy that transcends language.
I lost my Lito during the COVID pandemic. Unlike Linda, I never got the chance to say goodbye to him. He died without any family by his side. I've often thought about how I would have said goodbye to him, and the challenges it might have presented. At the time, I spoke no Spanish, and he spoke only Spanish. The last time I saw him, he didn't remember who I was and I didn't know how to tell him. This story is the ending I wish I had gotten.
Growing up as a "No sabo" kid, I felt disconnected from my culture, and more importantly the people I loved most. As I grew older, I realized that this experience was not unique. Hundreds of thousands of Latinos in America are desperately trying to reconnect with their roots, especially as the political climate targets the very culture they seek to connect with. If there was ever a time to share Latino stories, it is now. And that means ALL Latino stories, because being Latino runs deeper than just speaking the language and looking the part. It's a piece of me, and many of you, that runs so deep in our veins that we couldn't deny it even if we wanted to.
This project has been a long time coming, and has finally been put into motion as a part of my MFA program at University of Georgia. I am currently in pre-production with principal photography planned for the end of September. This campaign will help us cover important production costs as we move into filming and post-production. Additionally, it will allow us to submit the finished film to film festivals across the country, ensuring that this important story is available to folks everywhere.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Feed the People
Costs $500
Great work come from full bellies. We've gotta feed our cast and crew!
Festival Submissions
Costs $500
We want people to see the film once it's done! This is a budget for our film to have a successful festival run!
Production Design
Costs $300
Building a world is no easy task, especially as we recreate a medical space! Help us make this story look real!
Music
Costs $100
Music is at the heart of this film. It's what connects our characters across language barriers. Help us secure rights to the right music!
Post-Production Services
Costs $200
This could be anything from color grading services, to ADR, to paying for an artist to assist with title credits!
Cast and Crew
Costs $500
Most student films work off of a volunteer basis- but we are hoping to give our cast and crew a small travel stipend to offset costs!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Chloey Garza is a Mexican American woman from Las Vegas, Nevada. This is her directoral debut as first year student in UGA's MFA in Film, TV, and Digital Media. She is particularly interested in stories about family and culture.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
How would you say a final goodbye to someone you love? How would you do it if you didn't speak the same language? How would you do it, if they didn't remember who you were? All of these questions are weighing on the mind of Linda, a "no sabo" 3rd generation Mexican American woman, when she enters the hospital room of her beloved Abuelito (Lito). He is dying of Dementia, and now only speaks his mother tongue, so when she walks in, saying an English goodbye, he is more annoyed than moved. She makes a second attempt, using her limited knowledge of Spanish to patch together a spanglish message. The result? Pure gibberish. Now, Lito is frustrated. He turns away, purposefully ignoring her. Linda, defeated, sits at his bedside and weeps. In a moment of pure human empathy, Lito recognizes that despite not knowing her, the woman next to him is suffering. He takes her hand and sings her a lullaby. Linda recognizes it and sings along. In the moments before he passes, they share an intimacy that transcends language.
I lost my Lito during the COVID pandemic. Unlike Linda, I never got the chance to say goodbye to him. He died without any family by his side. I've often thought about how I would have said goodbye to him, and the challenges it might have presented. At the time, I spoke no Spanish, and he spoke only Spanish. The last time I saw him, he didn't remember who I was and I didn't know how to tell him. This story is the ending I wish I had gotten.
Growing up as a "No sabo" kid, I felt disconnected from my culture, and more importantly the people I loved most. As I grew older, I realized that this experience was not unique. Hundreds of thousands of Latinos in America are desperately trying to reconnect with their roots, especially as the political climate targets the very culture they seek to connect with. If there was ever a time to share Latino stories, it is now. And that means ALL Latino stories, because being Latino runs deeper than just speaking the language and looking the part. It's a piece of me, and many of you, that runs so deep in our veins that we couldn't deny it even if we wanted to.
This project has been a long time coming, and has finally been put into motion as a part of my MFA program at University of Georgia. I am currently in pre-production with principal photography planned for the end of September. This campaign will help us cover important production costs as we move into filming and post-production. Additionally, it will allow us to submit the finished film to film festivals across the country, ensuring that this important story is available to folks everywhere.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Feed the People
Costs $500
Great work come from full bellies. We've gotta feed our cast and crew!
Festival Submissions
Costs $500
We want people to see the film once it's done! This is a budget for our film to have a successful festival run!
Production Design
Costs $300
Building a world is no easy task, especially as we recreate a medical space! Help us make this story look real!
Music
Costs $100
Music is at the heart of this film. It's what connects our characters across language barriers. Help us secure rights to the right music!
Post-Production Services
Costs $200
This could be anything from color grading services, to ADR, to paying for an artist to assist with title credits!
Cast and Crew
Costs $500
Most student films work off of a volunteer basis- but we are hoping to give our cast and crew a small travel stipend to offset costs!
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Chloey Garza is a Mexican American woman from Las Vegas, Nevada. This is her directoral debut as first year student in UGA's MFA in Film, TV, and Digital Media. She is particularly interested in stories about family and culture.