By Liz Lopez
Austin based Chelsea Hernandez’s documentary feature, “Building the American Dream,” premiered at the 2019 SXSW Film Festival in Austin and other film festivals, most recently was featured at the CineSol Film Festival last month in the Rio Grande Valley.
“Building the American Dream” will have a “hometown screening” December 11th at the Violet Crown Austin, 434 W 2nd St, and tickets are available at austin.violetcrown.com.
ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY
Across Texas, an unstoppable construction boom drives urban sprawl and luxury high-rises. Its dirty secret: abuse of immigrant labor. “Building the American Dream” captures a turning point as a movement forms to fight widespread construction industry injustices. Grieving their son, a Mexican family campaigns for a life-and-death safety ordinance. A Salvadorian electrician couple owed thousands in back pay fights for their children’s future. A bereaved son battles to protect others from his family’s preventable tragedy. A story of courage, resilience and community, the film reveals shocking truths about the hardworking immigrants who build the American Dream, from which they are excluded.