PEDRO
Pedro, an 18-year-old Mexican American, longs for the love and safety provided by his mother, however he makes the tough decision of fleeing his home to escape his abusive stepfather. Set in the border city of El Paso, Texas, under the downtown buildings and somber city lights Pedro struggles with addiction. Pedro meets a mysterious ranchero who gives him a chance at stability. Here, Pedro realizes just how hard it is to find peace as he stands at the crossroads of life and death.
Pedro: Samuel Santiago Apodaca
Poncho: Jon Erik Castro
Yolanda: Veronica Perez-Torres
Jerry: Jay Stratton
Little Girl: Laila June Realzola
Mystery man: Aveen Nicker
Director: Jezrael Gandara
Executive Producers: Rey Fountano and Jezrael Gandara
Producers: Joshua Gandara, Samuel Gandara and Aaron Sarmiento
Cinematographer: Joshua Gandara
Assistant director: Aaron Sarmiento
Writers: Rey Fountano and Jezrael Gandara
Assistant camera: Samuel Gandara
2nd Assistant Camera: Nathanael Renteria
Music: Ce Cicada
Set Designer: Gibel Amador
Steady cam operator: Anibal Almodovar
Grip: Manuel Hernandez
Sound Mixer: Nina Hedberg
Makeup and Hair: Naomi Gomez
Production Assistant: Saud Alhanfoosh. Andre Gutierrez and Ivan Lom
BTS: Alexa Minjarez and Saud Alhanfoosh
Crafts Service: Griselda Gandara and Edith Renteria
Director’s Statement
“Pedro” is a compilation of stories from many resilient youth who live on the streets. During my time as a street outreach worked I learned about hopeful individuals who rose from challenging situations, but I simultaneously have also mourned lives taken by addiction, homelessness and domestic violence. El Paso is my home city, and the place where those who inspired me live. As I envisioned this short film, I remembered the streets, alleys and friendly faces from my past. El Paso was the only place where the story of Pedro and those whom I knew, could be told.
Pre-production references
