Paso del Norte Film Fund

Movie Synopsis 
Elena is a single mother and is dependent on social services. Her son, Tom, has behavioral difficulties and is stigmatized at school as a "problem child". The father's absence is part of the complicated bond between them. Tom will be diagnosed with "Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder" and treated for that condition. However, a freak accident will put his mother on guard against psychiatric medication. Her refusal to continue to give him medication will cause social services to threaten to remove him from custody.

Director Biographies
Director, producer, and screenwriter, Rodrigo Plá has 25 years’ experience in the film industry, during which time he has made the short films Novia mía (1995), El ojo en la nuca (2000) and 30-30 (2010), which features on Revolución, a collective commemoration of the Mexican Revolution screened at the Berlin Film Festival and Cannes Critics’ Week, and the feature-length productions La Zona (2007), El desierto adentro (2008) and La Demora (2012), that respectively premiered at Venice, Cannes and Berlin, respectively. His films have won over 100 awards and accolades in Mexico and abroad, his last feature film Un monstruo de mil cabezas (2015), premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

Actor Biographies
Israel Rodríguez Bertorelli, 10 years old, is a native El Pasoan who began his performing career in the El Paso theatre scene when he was five years old.  He is extremely grateful to the multiple educators/artists who have helped him develop his craft.  He is an amazing older brother to two younger sisters and a little brother!  In his spare time he enjoys playing piano, guitar, sculpting clay figures, and creating an animated series with his friends. He hopes to inspire other kids with his work and be a positive agent for change in the world. His future goals are being on the show “Stranger Things”, working with Will Ferrell, and doing some voice acting work.  

Julia Chávez is a born and raised El Pasoan and single mother of three. Her first experience with acting was on the set of El Otro Tom and her main occupation is working in Central El Paso as a licensed massage therapist. She enjoys practicing Bhakti Yoga, martial arts, and raising her kids. She looks forward to future acting opportunities and feels fortunate for having such success in her first movie project.