Where did the idea for the film come from?
I developed a connection with the two characters in the film (Bernardo & Diego) because I spent a portion of my childhood growing up in a small fishing village on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Growing up alongside them in Mexico had a transformational effect on how I view the world and has been a unique source of inspiration in my life and work. It opened my eyes to how culture can shape our outlook on life and affect how we answer life’s most important questions.
We shared many surf sessions and bonded over our love for the ocean. In one way, they lived the dream, surfing perfect waves all day and living by the sea. But, they had also been abandoned by their parents forcing them to grow up fast and support themselves from a young age. It never seemed fair that they had to grow up in such challenging situations, but I always admired their positive attitude amid such struggles.
It always struck me how on the one hand they grew up with so little but on the other hand, had so much. They didn't have many of the same material resources or familial support that many of my peers and I in the U.S. did, but they had a sense of contentment that so many lacked. Reflecting on this as I grew up caused me to wrestle with the question, “What is success?” In juxtaposing my experiences between Mexico and the U.S. I realized how much our culture & environment can influence our perspective of success.
For myself, success can often bring to mind topics of career, finances, or influence. However, when I step back and spend time surrounded by what matters most (close friends/family, and nature) I'm able to clearly see what matters most in life. This perspective was a valuable lesson I learned from spending time with Bernardo and Diego, and something I hope to share through this film.
Seeing Bernardo & Diego go from orphans scraping by to put a roof over their head to integral members in their communities, running businesses, and now having families and two young sons of their own has been a beautiful transition to witness and one of those stories I just had to tell.
I hope to inspire people to step back and reflect on how the environment they are immersed in shapes their perspective of success and what it looks like to live a meaningful life.
Why was it important for you to tell this story?
One reason it was important for me to tell this story is because throughout my life the people I’ve learned the most from aren’t those typically thrust into the limelight. It’s people like Bernardo and Diego who overcame incredible hardship all the while, finding contentment in simplicity and the awe-inspiring beauty of nature that inspire me most.
I’ve always found it insightful to build connections with those in different parts of the world who come from different cultures and it’s greatly expanded my perspective on life. It’s a great privilege to share these stories through film and I hope this allows others to learn from the people who have impacted my life.
What was the biggest challenge for the film? What made production difficult?
The biggest challenge for the film was the logistics of traveling through the jungles and ocean of Mexico. Our main filming location was only accessible by boat (which involved wading to shore over slippery rocks) or an hour hike through the jungle.
While it was challenging to carry gear on a long jungle hike or spend hours swimming through the lineup with a camera, it was also one of my favorite aspects of making the film. A core theme of the film is how valuable it is to be closely connected with nature so it felt right that we spent production outside closely embedded in nature.
Who were some of your most important collaborators?
One aspect of creating the film I enjoyed most was being able to collaborate with such talented individuals.
Partnering with Caymanite on this story as an Original Film was a game changer. It feels great when you find alignment with a production company that can also see the vision and the value behind telling a story. Armin Korsos from Caymanite, came down to Mexico to help DP, and I couldn’t have asked for a better partner on the film. Not only is he incredibly skilled at nailing the shot in high pressure rapidly changing environments, but he’s up for any outdoor adventure. Whether it was scrambling up a mountain or traversing a rocky coastline at 4:00am, he always brought great energy and a positive attitude to set.
For color we partnered with Clark Griffith’s at Bruton Strobe who did an incredible job at making the footage come to life and he absolutely nailed it. His stunning work elevated the visuals of the film to a whole new level.
Image Gallery
Chacala Screening
Where & When can the film be seen
We had a hometown screening with Bernardo & Diego in Chacala, Mexico (location where the film was shot) and was first screened in the U.S. as a part of Atmosphere film festival in Encinitas California. More screenings will be upcoming and the film will be available online in late 2025.