As the Trump administration began its second term in office in January, immigration was the first major issue it took aim at. And with the country still reeling from Trump’s immigration enforcement in his first term, where an estimated 1400 children separated from their parents are still waiting to be reunited, it is vital that the human impact of harsh immigration policies be centered in these conversations.
A new award-winning short film called ‘Hermanos’, is doing exactly that, encouraging viewers to reflect on the ongoing immigration crisis and the potential consequences of policy decisions made at the highest levels of government. Directed by Rachel McDonald, ‘Hermanos’ (brothers) arrives at a pivotal moment in our current political climate.
A Story Born from Compassion and Urgency
Rachel was inspired to create ‘Hermanos’ by the real-life stories of immigrant families affected by the harsh conditions and separation policies at the U.S. border. In a press release she explains how the film was written with a heavy heart and a strong desire to bring awareness to the border atrocities under the first Trump administration: “Children were being ripped away from their families and detained under harsh conditions—often in cages. Our broken immigration system created indelible damage and immeasurable trauma for these vulnerable young refugees.”
Fueled by feelings of helplessness and rage, Rachel set out to tell a story that focused on the love between siblings, the bond among family and the lengths we will go to protect each other.
A Talented Team with a Heart for Change
The film stars Jorge A. Jimenez (Narcos, Queen of the South), Grant Harvey (Animal Kingdom, The Crossing, Thumper), and introduces Seth Gutiérrez as Santino and Carlos Sanchez as Tomás. This stellar cast brings to life the harrowing journey of two brothers who flee Mexico with their mother after the murder of their father, only to be separated at the U.S. border. When an opportunity to escape presents itself, they risk everything to stay alive and reunite with their family.
Rachel McDonald, together with producers Maury Strong, Ezra Venetos, and Shawn Lacy, created a compelling film that captures the essence of familial love amidst adversity. The stunning cinematography by Amado Stachenfeld and the moving score by David Fleming and David Naroth add layers of emotion to the film, making ‘Hermanos’ a deeply immersive experience.
Though the film continues to be showcased at a number of film festivals Rachel decided to release the full film online (watch below!) to reach a wider audience and sparks necessary dialogue. We had the chance to speak with Rachel to go behind the scenes of ‘Hermanos’, and the impact she hopes it will have in 2025 and beyond, centering a realistic story that cuts through the statistics and newsmedia narratives that only serve to distract us from the human cost of U.S. immigration policies.
How did the idea for ‘Hermanos’ first come about, and what made you want to tell this story?
‘Hermanos’ was born from an emotional urgency that hit me in 2019, as the tragic family separation policies at the U.S.-Mexico border were dominating news headlines. One image in particular haunted me: a father and his young daughter drowned in the Rio Grande while seeking to cross safely. It was devastating and heartbreaking as it symbolized the love and sacrifice so many families embody in their pursuit of survival.
I couldn’t stop thinking about the trauma these children and families were enduring. This story gave me a means to humanize it, dwell on the unbreakable bonds of family, and challenge others to look beyond the headlines.
[Watch the full film below!]
Where did you film ‘Hermanos’ and what was the process of finding your cast?
We filmed ‘Hermanos’ in Texas and Mexico at locations and sets we built. In regards to casting, I wrote Santino’s role with Seth Gutierrez in mind. I had worked with him on a commercial a few months earlier and I immediately saw something very special in him. Seth had such natural instincts for a young actor and I knew he would embody the qualities of a loving older brother who had to grow up quickly to protect his younger sibling.
I used a casting director friend in Austin to find Carlos Sanchez to play Tomás. We did chemistry checks and it was quickly apparent these two boys had a connection that would translate on camera. We spent a lot of time together before and during the shoot to help foster that connection and chemistry and the two boys brought such heart to these roles. Jorge A. Jimenez, who plays the boy’s father, added another layer of depth not only in his performance but also in helping me fine-tune the script for cultural and linguistic authenticity.
What was the mood like on set filming these difficult and visceral scenes, especially between the brothers?
There was a really strong camaraderie among the cast and crew on this set. It felt like everyone involved really believed in this story. The crew was very respectful and sensitive with the topic at hand and it allowed us to focus on keeping the integrity of the story we were telling. Although there were some incredibly intense scenes where the mood could get a bit heavy, for the most part the vibe was optimistic and convivial.
Because we were dealing with such a sensitive subject matter and young actors, I did not want to overwhelm Seth and Carlos with the reality of the immigration crisis and the weight of that trauma. Instead, I spent time fostering their relationship and allowing a brotherly bond to build between them. I took it one scene at a time with the boys. Of course, they knew the overall story but we really focused on the tone and intention of each moment.
I often spoke to Seth about protecting his brother and the character’s responsibility as the older sibling in this story. We were trying to create a sheltering environment with the young actors while not losing the emotional impact of the story. Carlos and Seth handled their roles so maturely and their bond off camera translated beautifully into their onscreen relationship.
How did you work with folks in the immigrant community to ensure authenticity and accuracy in your storytelling?
Authenticity was key for ‘Hermanos’. Early in the process, I vetted my script with a human rights lawyer directly involved in reuniting families at the border. Jorge also helped me with script revisions as I mentioned earlier. The insight they brought to the table ensured that we would be accurately portraying these experiences. I drew heavily from news archives, reports, and personal accounts to reflect detention center reality and the broader immigrant experience.
There is a lot of renewed focus on immigration, especially families who come to the US via the US/Mexico border, now that Trump is going to be back in office. Given the timeliness of your film, what message or messages do you hope to share through your story?
The timing of ‘Hermanos’ seems all the more urgent given this current administration’s frenzy of arrests and mass deportations. I’m gutted by the way immigrants are being portrayed and demoralized in this country. My hope is to remind audiences that immigration is not just a policy debate; it’s about real people-mothers, fathers, children-facing unimaginable circumstances.
The film underscores one important aspect-the resilience of families and the unyielding bond between siblings-even in the face of inhumane policies. In my view, it is essential that the human cost of these policies be underlined to hopefully remind American citizens of our humanity and invite compassion toward human beings from all walks of life.
Discussions around immigration can often be devoid of humanity or humanization in the news. How can filmmaking and art be a source of hope in shedding light on big issues?
Filmmaking and art has the ability to cut through the noise and touch people on an emotional level in a way that stories like Hermanos, I hope, do; it brings us to the heart of humanity often lost to the rhetoric of politics and numbers. Art has the power to shine a light on injustices, build empathy, and spark action. By putting a story to the issue, storytelling creates a deeper opportunity for understanding and dialogue.
There is something so gut-wrenching about seeing the horrendous immigration policies through the eyes of two children. What kind of emotions do you hope it will evoke in audiences as they watch ‘Hermanos’?
I want ‘Hermanos’ to leave audiences with broken but hopeful hearts. The intent is to create empathy and indignation. I would also like viewers to feel certain that something urgent must be done about such injustices. Watching the brothers’ journey forces us to confront the moral implications of these policies, but also puts into sharp focus and context the strength of familial love and resilience. I want viewers to walk away asking, “What if this were my family? What if those were my children?”
What are your screening and impact plans for the film going into 2025, especially after recent news about the man Trump has appointed as his “immigration czar”, known for separating families at the border?
We’d like to use ‘Hermanos’ as an advocacy tool, screening it at festivals, schools, and community events, in addition to partnering with organizations working on immigration reform. The film is not just a story; it’s a call to action. As policies and political appointments bring family separation back into the spotlight, we hope ‘Hermanos’ can contribute to the push for compassionate, humane solutions.
After watching ‘Hermanos’, what recommendations do you have for viewers who may be fueled to take action?
If ‘Hermanos’ moves you, I want to encourage you to get involved in some advocacy work. Consider investing time and resources into organizations that work valiantly to protect immigrant families and children and work to support immigrants within your own communities. Stand up to lies and ignorance about immigration issues by speaking out and calling out outrageous statements like, “They’re eating the dogs, they’re eating the cats…”
Spread facts and human interest stories to call on the humanity of those concerned citizens in your communities. Call your representatives and express your desire for humane immigration policies. Even small actions can go a long way: donate, volunteer, or spread awareness. Individual actions and group resistance to inhumane policies and unjust treatment of humans in their time of crisis is the obligation of all. Silence is complicity.
So many people need the kindness of strangers to survive in what seems to becoming a world where we are desensitized to cruelty. Change begins with compassion and action, and it’s up to all of us to push for a future where all families and all immigrants will be treated with dignity and humanity.
You see more of Rachel’s work by following her on Instagram.
