Written and directed by Mohit Ramchandani, the film City of Dreams is inspired by actual events. The film delves into the critical issue of forced labor in the US (although it is stated this is a worldwide issue). The people who are in forced labor can be of varying ages. This script focuses on a young boy named Jesus from Mexico who appears to be a pre-teen or young teen. The film seems to narrow the issue for purposes of the film to focus on the human trafficking of Mexican minors.
The film shows Jesus (Ari Lopez) in his native country playing soccer with other young boys in the countryside, not in a stadium nor wearing nice uniforms. The script shows where Jesus’ father relays how his wife died during childbirth. The script does not include why the father thinks sending his son to Los Angeles alone will be ok. The character most likely convinced the community members that Jesus has a shot at fame as a soccer star. One can only determine that when Jesus keeps looking at a flyer about a soccer camp in Los Angeles. The man in the fancy car is part of a ring selling people in Los Angeles (no big surprise to me, unfortunately). The man also knows the ropes about responding when pulled over by law enforcement. Francisco Denis is excellent as a sleazy guy who thinks he is in “style” and no one can touch him.
The huge home where the slick trafficker takes Jesus is not a mansion, but instead one that is used for illicit activities. They are not in Hollywood, but in town – in plain sight – where law enforcement, Stevens (Jason Patric) tries to keep a watchful eye. The scriptwriter seems to dance around the fact that the network of traffickers may have the city in their pocket.
The sight of the facility where Jesus is told to work certainly has yet to be visited by any health department for rule compliance. This scenario is not easy to watch, nor is it any easier when the boss (Alfredo Castro) issues orders to punish those who are non–compliant in any way. It is brutal. Jesus is there long enough to see others come and go, but when he finds a co-worker named Elena (Renata Vaca) missing. There is another ring of exploitation that comes shopping every so often. The film does not hold back on bringing this life underground up to the forefront to bring awareness to those who have paid no heed to the topic.
The script follows Jesus’ fight against those in charge of the network who have them there, not just once. He is small and undergoes torture, but he is determined to find a way out for himself even if others don’t.
The cast includes Samm Levine, Paulina Gaitan, Francisco Denis, and Diego Calva.
96 Minutes | Rated R
Executive Produced by Tony Robbins, Luis Fonsi, Yalitza Aparicio, Michael Phillips, Thomas Jane, Linda Perry, Luis Mandoki, John Devaney, Ana Wolfington, Shehzaan Chunara, Brad J. Lamb, Rohan Ramchandani, Colleen Camp, Vivek Ramaswamy. Produced by Jon Graham, Rufus Parker, Matthew Diezel, Sean Wolfington
Roadside Attractions is releasing CITY OF DREAMS nationwide on Friday, August 30th.
Source: Roadside Attractions