Tijuana Makes Me Happy
| Tijuana Makes Me Happy | |
|---|---|
| File:Tijuana makes me happy-911430203-large.jpg Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Dylan Verrechia |
| Produced by | James Lefkowitz, Dylan Verrechia |
| Written by | Dylan Verrechia |
| Starring | Pablo Tendilla Ortiz (Indio), Pablo Tendilla Rocha (Jhonny), Aidee Gonzalez (Rebecca), Darina Rabago Soto (Brianda) |
| Music by | Nortec Collective |
| Cinematography | James Lefkowitz |
| Edited by | James Lefkowitz |
| Distributed by | 25th Frame |
Release date |
|
Running time | 79 minutes |
| Country | Mexico |
| Language | Spanish |
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Tijuana Makes Me Happy is a 2007 film made in Tijuana, Mexico. It was directed by Dylan Verrechia, co-produced by James Lefkowitz, with original music by Nortec Collective, and titled by writer Rafael Saavedra.
The movie premiered at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival, where it received the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature. Tijuana Makes Me Happy is the first film in the Tijuana or Tijuas trilogy,[1] which includes Tierra madre and La Pura Vida.
Synopsis
Indio is a fourteen-year-old boy who lives in Playas de Tijuana. Every day after school, Indio works at Sacramento's ranch in the hopes of buying his own cockfighting rooster, el Gyro. When his dad refuses to help him buy the rooster, Indio starts selling empanadas and washing cars. One day, after he skips school to play with his friends, Indio meets Brianda, a young prostitute working in the red light district. As time passes, Indio learns what it means to make money, a tough journey that takes him across the border, from Montes Olímpicos to San Diego. Greed however takes the best of Indio; neglecting his rooster, he fights el Gyro to win over the love of Brianda.
Cast
- Pablo Tendilla Ortiz as Indio
- Pablo Tendilla Rocha as Jhonny
- Aidée González as Rebecca
- Darina Rabago Soto as Brianda
- Luis Angel Carmona Arochi as Luis
- Jorge Hernández as Sacramento
- Ivan Equihua Carlos as Pescado
- Marco Carmona Arochi as Marcos
- Pablo Jimenez Rivera as Tocallo
Development
Verrechia came up with the concept of the film alongside producer James Lefkowitz, while the two were filming a documentary on child abuse and prostituion in Tijuana. During their travels the paid had met many good people, prompting Verecchia to make a film that shows a more realistic portrayal of Tijuana and dispel stereotypes that portray the city as a "city of sin".[2][3]
Release
Tijuana Makes Me Happy had its world premiere in January 2007 at the Slamdance Film Festival.[4] It has not received a general release.[citation needed]
Reception
Joe Leydon of Variety reviewed Tijuana Makes Me Happy, describing it as "slight but likable."[5] Josh Rosenblatt also reviewed the film for The Austin Chronicle, calling it both a "charming coming-of-age story and a celebration of the most infamous of all Mexican border towns" as well as a "subtle criticism of society's lust for money and success and the lengths to which people will go to attain both."[6]
Awards
- Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the Slamdance Film Festival (2007, won)[4][7][8]
- SAFILM Indie Max Award (2007, won)[9]
References
- ↑ "Tijuana Makes Me Happy". VERRECHIA FILMS LLC. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ Lieber, Sara; Monroy, Liza; Spurrier, Jeff; Summa, Ann; Tavel, Rachel (2007-10-08). MTV Best of Mexico. John Wiley & Sons. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-7645-8775-7. Search this book on
- ↑ Muñoz, Gabriel Trujillo (2019-11-06). Tan cerca de Hollywood: Cine, televisión y video en Baja California. Editorial UABC. ISBN 978-607-607-572-2. Search this book on
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Vice, Jeff (28 January 2007). "Slamdance hands out its 'Sparky' film awards". Deseret News. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved 2009-07-10. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Leydon, Joe (2007-01-29). "Tijuana Makes Me Happy". Variety. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ Rosenblatt, Josh (April 20, 2007). "Travelogue". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ Kilday, Gregg (2007-01-29). "Slamdance heads to 'Tijuana'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ Kay, Jeremy. "Tijuana, Unsettled are top Slamdance winners". Screen Daily. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ↑ "Events: Aztec Theater, June 22 - SAFILM INDIE MAX AWARD". San Antonio underground Film Festival. June 13, 2007. Archived from the original on October 6, 2007. Retrieved June 30, 2018. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)
External links
- Tijuana Makes Me Happy on IMDb Search this movie on
- Tijuana Makes Me Happy official site
- Tijuana Makes Me Happy at slamdance.com
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