Mora & Chenchi is my film school thesis. It is an all Mexican cast and crew production! Rather than saving money and shooting in LA, I felt it was my duty to show the world the talent in my country. I hope this reminds my fellow Mexicans that we don´t need to go somewhere else to make good art.

 

 

“The past is never where you think you left it.” 

― Katherine Anne Porter

 

"El pasado nunca esta donde crees que lo dejaste."

― Katherine Anne Porter

THE STORY

Ceci better known as Chenchi is a recently married 29-year-old tween magazine writer that has been living in Los Angeles since she graduated high school. 

Alejandra Mora is a 30-year-old ethics teacher for the high school she attended. She comes from an upper-middle-class family but she doesn´t think that money is hers. She decided to move out and live in a humble neighboorhood with two roommates that resent her.

 

Ceci mejor conocida como "Chenchi" (29 años) es una recientemente casada escritora de revistas de adolescentes que vive en los Ángeles desde que se graduó de la preparatoria.

Alejandra Mora (30 años) es maestra de ética para la preparatoria a la que atendió. Ella viene de una familia de clase alta más no cree que el dinero sea de ella. Decidió mudarse y vivir en un barrio humilde en Guadalajara con dos compañeros de cuarto que la resienten.

 

 

After the death of her high school literature mentor, Chenchi takes a one day trip to her hometown Guadalajara. It is in mass where she recognizes a familiar face, Mora, her high school best friend. The last time she saw her was eleven years ago at their graduation party.

 

Después de la muerte de su mentor de literatura de la prepa, Chenchi toma un viaje de un día a Guadalajara. En la misa del difunto se reencuentra con una cara familiar, Mora, su mejor amiga de la prepa. La última vez que se vieron fue en la fiesta de graduación, hace once años.

 

 

Mora convinces Chenchi to spend the rest of the day with her rather than working in the airport as she waits for her night flight. During the time both of the old friends slowly become their old high school selves and old feelings come back.

 

Mora convence a Chenchi de pasar el resto del día con ella en vez de trabajar en el aeropuerto mientras espera su vuelo nocturno. Durante éste tiempo las dos amigas lentamente se convierten en sus personalidades de la prepa y viejos sentimientos son reencontrados.

 

 

Director´s Statement

Even though I was born and raised  Guadalajara, México; I had always had the feeling that I had to leave and go to California.  When I graduated high school I had the opportunity to study filmmaking in Los Angeles, so I took the chance and never looked back.

I fled the country avoiding my feelings for my family, friends and other people. I thought if I left, my past wouldn´t hunt me. But I left Mexico and went to one of the most Spanish speaking cities in the U.S. I never really escaped, a part of my country and its people were within me.

 

Aunque nací y crecí en Guadalajara, México; siempre tuve el sentimiento de irme a vivir a California, USA.  Cuando me gradué de la prepa tuve la oportunidad de estudiar cine en los Ángeles, la tomé y nunca miré hacia atrás. Huí del país evitando mis sentimientos sobre mi familia, amigos y otras personas. Pensé que si escapaba, el pasado no me seguiría. Pero dejé México y me mudé a una de las ciudades con más hispanohablantes en Estados Unidos. Nunca escapé, una parte de mi país y esas personas siempre estarán dentro de mí.

 

 

This film is a love letter to my city and a goodbye poem to all of those people that I never told them the truth. For everyone that has once swallowed their feelings and let them consume for ages, this movie is for you. A way for catharsis. And hopefully, it inspires people to not only close chapters in their lives but also be realistic with their expectations. 

 

Esta película es una carta de amor hacia mi ciudad y un poema hacia todas esas personas a las que les dije mis sentimientos. Es también para todos ellos que se tragaron sus sentimientos y  les consumieron por años. Es una manera de conseguir catarsis. Y ojalá, que no sólo inspire a la gente en cerrar sus capítulos, también en ser realistas con sus expectativas.

 

 

Mora & Chenchi is a love story for all of those that never told that person that they loved them.

 

Mora & Chenchi es una historia de amor para todos aquellos que nunca le dijeron a esa persona que la amaban.

Cast:

Miriana Moro as Mora

Miriana Moro is a Mexican actress, producer, photographer, and an all-around artist. If you like contemporary Mexican cinema you will recognize Miriana from her role as "Tigrillo" in Drama/Mex (Cannes, TIFF, AFI) for which she got nominated for an Ariel for best-supporting actress.  As the co-lead, "Mora", in Mora & Chenchi, we believe that Miriana will not only bring a unique take but help us deliver the theme of the film.