Chisel

"PRESERVE YOUR INDIVIDUALITY"

"Chisel" is a film that questions the economic hierarchy experienced by Latino laborers at the lower levels of society. It’s a cautionary tale that explores how economic struggles can cloud decision-making, pushing individuals to sacrifice their sense of self and innocence in a relentless world. Through its portrayal of labor exploitation, inequality, economic hardship, and the immigrant working experience, Chisel illuminates the complex pressures facing those striving for the American dream. The film occupies space in untold narratives, slicing open the workplace hierarchy to expose the human cost of survival with a surprising resolution at the end of the film.

In tradition with Vittorio De Sica (The Bicycle Thief) and Martin Scorsese (Gangs of New York), “Chisel” captures the nature of a desperate culture and reclaims what it means to be an underdog in the USA. If nothing else, “Chisel” is a blunt depiction of the current inflationary period of our time.

To achieve the utmost realism, I took casting to the streets, working with non-actors whose presence brought authenticity to the narrative. Among the many obstacles we faced, casting and world-building were the most challenging. I sought a specific look and atmosphere that deeply influenced the film’s visuals and character dynamics. A photograph from the Great Depression, with its raw, poignant essence, served as a powerful inspiration, guiding the film’s aesthetic and emotional tone.

In watching the film by F.W. Murnau, "The Last Laugh," - I was impacted by the leading character and his behavior towards his job and how his job was his identity. His pride, love, and self-respect are all nourished by his career, and when he loses his job - he loses his sense of self. Here is my mindset for the character of "Rafael".

Nico Bustamante, role of "Lucas", was a regular on the TV Series "Riverdale", in the film "Gotti" with John Travolta, and in Bel Canto co-starring with Julianne Moore.

Our wonderful DP, Samuel Romero, was the first person to embrace and fully understand what I wanted to accomplish. He immediately got the story. I had wild ideas of machinery and men, large groups of laborers, surging sounds of machinery, corruption, films like "Gangs of New York" to "Metropolis" to "The Bicycle Thief," large landscapes, art references from "Vida Americana," pictures of latino laborers working in fields and so much more. Sam got where I wanted to go. He immediately related "Chisel" to the work of his favorite photographer, Sebastiao Salgado. I'll forever be grateful for Sam and everything he brought to the project.

Together, with crew and talent, this was the most harmonious production I've ever worked on. An experience that has impacted me as a woman, a filmmaker, and a Latina. This film is an ode for hard workers like my parents, the newcomers to this country and for my beloved ancestors from Costa Rica. I'll always return to this memory with joy and happiness.

At the heart of “Chisel” is a simple story about rising the ladder and what we sacrifice to get there.