By Rodrigo Peraza
GOOD EXPOSURE CHANNEL

The Dream Continues shows aspects of migrant workers living the “American Dream.” The film was inspired by my father who came to the United States 10 years ago and worked as a day laborer to give his family a better opportunity at life—with education as the key factor for us to succeed. The film intercuts my father’s story with the stories of the day laborers who work at the Home Depot that we drive past every day.

Born in Mérida, Yucatán (Mexico) in 1993, Rodrigo Peraza moved to Los Angeles with his family for a better life and education in 2000. Due to so many obstacles in his life, Rodrigo takes it on himself to make changes for the better. He appreciates opportunities that the community around him has to offer. His first short film, The Dream Continues, premiered at the Long Beach Art Theater as part of the Postcards Youth Film Exchange in June 2010. Rodrigo volunteers, planning community oriented events with W.O.R.K.S. He also serves on the youth resident council at his local community center. Rodrigo plans to go to college for Sociology with a minor in filmmaking. He hopes to continue making work about social issues that are important to him.

Members of the Good Exposure Project featured the Day Laborer Program of the Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California, IDEPSCA, and the dreams of one father who wants the next generation to be able to continue the dream of a better life.

Good Exposure is a community bases feature film project. The content you see here has been created by young people between 15 -19 living in northeast Los Angeles as part of an intensive workshop program held at the community center located inside their apartment complex. Many of the youth have grown up together and this is all of their first films.

Tags:  day laborers Good Exposure Channel Good Exposure Project IDEPSCA Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California Jornaleros Rodrigo Peraza Yucatán