EXCLUSIVE: Mexican-American filmmaker Jorge Xolalpa (Strangelove) has signed on to direct Huehxolotl, an immigration thriller starring an ensemble of Hispanic-Latino performers.
The cast features Maya Zapata (Amazon Studios: Cada Minuto Cuenta) Elyfer Torres (Paramount+: Tengo Que Morir Todas las Noches), Katherine Castro (Lolita), and Alexander James Rodriguez (Netflix: Bee and Puppycat).
The film follows an undocumented Mexican woman and restaurant owner whose asylum petition is denied, leaving her with just 30 days to self-deport.
Synopsis reads: When Xochit is pursued by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E) agents, a tense standoff ensues outside her restaurant, with her 8-year-old son Diego witnessing the traumatic event. Amidst the chaos, attorney Helen steps in to protect Xochitl, but Agent Walker (Castro) unlawfully arrests her, sparking a legal battle. As Xochitl’s family grapples with the aftermath, her sister Nayeli (Torres), a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, becomes Diego’s primary guardian, leading them on a challenging yet heartwarming journey of survival and solidarity.
Huehxolotl, a Nahuatl word for ‘big monster” from the language of the Aztec civilization, will be produced by Xolalpa and Alfredo Widman (Holy Cash) at Mighty Aphrodite Pictures with finance by NYTA Film Group.
Xolalpa is best known for the Amazon Prime series Strangelove.