Movies

‘Under the Same Moon’ director on immigration crackdown: ‘It’s called fascism’

BBG News

18 years ago, when Mexican director Patricia Riggen first released her critically acclaimed movie “Under the Same Moon“, she expected it would stir emotions and boost empathy towards the struggles of immigrants in the U.S. However, she could never foresee the harsh militarized immigration policies that are prevalent today.

In a recent phone conversation, Riggen expressed that if he were to create “Under the Same Moon” today, it wouldn’t resemble its original form. He described it as being extremely dark.

The made-up story centers around 9-year-old Carlitos (portrayed by Adrián Alonso), residing in Mexico with his ailing granny, as his mom Rosario (Kate del Castillo) manages life as an undocumented worker in Los Angeles. Following the unexpected demise of his granny, young Carlitos braves the border journey on his own to find his mother. He gradually discovers her whereabouts by piecing together information from their regular phone conversations in the past.

Following its acclaim at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, where it earned a standing ovation, the film titled “Under the Same Moon,” known as “La Misma Luna” in Spanish, was acquired by Fox Searchlight Pictures and premiered in theaters the year after. At that time, it set box office records for any Spanish-language movie shown in the United States.

The narrative, with its occasional light-hearted touches due to Carlitos’ friendship with a cranky, drifter migrant named Enrique (Eugenio Derbez), mirrored the challenging journeys undertaken by numerous migrants in the U.S. during the early 2000s, as seen from a child’s perspective. As Riggen puts it, “It humanized a statistic and a political issue.

Riggen explained, ‘That’s why it gained such significance at that time, and now look where we are as a result,’ alluding to the ongoing ICE raids carried out by masked officers, detentions of U.S. citizens, and deportations of migrants without proper legal proceedings.

On the same day De Los reconnected with Derbez and screenwriter Ligiah Villalobos during a June 26 panel organized by the National Assn. of Latino Independent Producers, she spoke with Riggen about the lasting influence of his film, “Under the Same Moon.” Riggen remarked that it was their first gathering since then, and he considered it an important moment. He believed that this movie offers a glimmer of hope to the Latino community.

This interview has been edited and shortened for clarity.

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Since the debut of “Under the Same Moon” in 2007, how have its themes developed over the past two decades? Regrettably, conditions have deteriorated rather than improved. It appears that things are now more challenging than ever before. Unprecedented events such as deportations to third-party nations, detentions without proper legal process, and unidentified individuals conducting detentions – we’re not certain if they are genuine ICE agents – have arisen.

In my experience as a Latin American, I’d like to share a concerning truth: we have a name for it, and it’s called fascism. The mere mention sends chills down my spine, as it instantly brings back memories of countries like Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. They had a way of operating that was brutal. They would suddenly show up at people’s homes, without any identification or warning, and take them away. This is something many Americans may not be familiar with, as they haven’t experienced it before. For me, this scenario represents the worst-case scenario I can imagine.

In crafting “La Misma Luna,” there were countless unaccompanied minor children serving as the initial motivation for Ligiah Villalobos when penning the screenplay. This film was revolutionary due to the prevalence of gloomy, depressing immigration-themed films. However, it deviated from this norm by presenting a more uplifting, optimistic perspective. Despite tackling intricate issues, the movie aimed to portray immigrants in a favorable light, emphasizing their good qualities and values. People often become immigrants due to compulsion, stemming from poverty, violence, or persecution.

If I were to remake the film today, would its tone overshadow the glimmers of hope? That’s my concern right now. I’m thinking about creating a movie akin to “El Norte,” which was another iconic film on this subject matter, and it was quite intense. Then came “La Misma Luna,” which was lighter in tone. I aimed to make a movie that the Latino audience could relate to, as well as immigrants who watch it. However, the tone would be different. I’d delve deeply into the issues surrounding immigration instead of focusing solely on love and family relationships. I wanted to avoid making a political statement initially, but now I feel that it’s crucial to address the political aspect. Many people in America still believe that immigrants are criminals, but having the right to feed your loved ones is a fundamental human right.

If I made the movie today, would its tone hide the hopeful moments? That’s my worry. I’m considering making it like “El Norte,” which was intense and focused on immigration issues. Then there was “La Misma Luna,” which had a lighter feel. I wanted to create a relatable film for Latino audiences, as well as immigrants. However, the tone would be different. I’d explore deeper into the challenges of immigration instead of just focusing on love stories and family relationships. I didn’t want to make a political statement in the beginning, but now I think it’s essential to address politics because many Americans still believe that immigrants are criminals, but providing food for your loved ones is a basic human right.

In the hypothetical continuation of “La Misma Luna,” if we picked up with Carlitos and his mother, where would their lives be today in modern-day America? That’s what we’ve been contemplating as [Villalobos] and I work on a potential TV series. Given the increased empathy for immigrant struggles in contemporary society (which wasn’t as pronounced 17 years ago), it seems fitting to explore their journey in this new series.

What made this film captivating when it came out was its exploration of universal emotional themes that resonated with everyone, regardless of their ethnicity or immigration background. At its core, it was a love story. That’s how I saw it. Sometimes I feel like if [Alonso] had been more widely known, he might have been nominated for an award, but that’s the reality of making Latino films. We’re constantly striving to break through mainstream barriers and gain wider recognition.

As a cinema enthusiast, I can’t help but acknowledge that my industry, Hollywood, holds a significant responsibility in fostering an environment where Latinos and immigrants often face hostility within the U.S. Regrettably, our portrayal of Latinos has predominantly been negative, which seems to fuel prejudice among certain segments of society. It’s high time we reconsider our narrative and present the community in a more positive light. Let’s strive to create roles that inspire rather than provoke hostility, fostering understanding and respect for all.

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2025-07-01 23:01

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