ONLY ONE DAY

Sólo un día (Mexico | 2009 | 19’ | HD | Spanish with/English subtitles)

Synopsis

A group of Central American migrants arrives in Guadalajara on their way to the northern border. Ángel, Hernán, Paola, and El Negro share that their journey has lasted over seven months; migrating has become their way of life. Just One Day invites us to witness their long hours of waiting, reflect on the joy of childhood, and confront the reality of those often overlooked by society. Just one day—one of many that have passed and many yet to come. Only one day, only a few hours.

Crew

• Director and Screenwriter: Fernando Valencia.

• Producer: Elena Camacho.

• Editor: Luis Eduardo Luna Bernal, Fernando Valencia, and Víctor J. González.

• Cinematographer: Víctor J. González.

• Production advisor: Afra Mejía Lara.

• Audio: Luis Eduardo Luna Bernal.

• Original Score: Jorge Fernández.

Awards:

• 2010 Honorable Mention at the Annual José Rovirosa Awards, granted by the UNAM Film Archive. Mexico City, Mexico.   

Festivals:

• 2010 Mexican Documentary Film Festival “Zanate”

It all started a few years before…

"Only One Day" is the result of three years of direct work with migrants in transit over Guadalajara's rail tracks. In March 2007, I became involved with FM4 Paso Libre (www.fm4pasolibre.org), a grassroots organization focused on guaranteeing access to human rights for thousands of migrants crossing through Mexico and refugees seeking asylum.

In that time, I learned about the adverse conditions migrants face in my own city and country and decided to write a story about the daily struggles of a small group of migrants crossing Guadalajara on their way to the US. My main goal was to observe and accompany them on their journeys while recording their actions and decisions.

Photos: Only one day’ crew / Scouting - Shooting day