ShowBizzBuzz: Melissa Rue Unveils Immigrant Girl’s Struggle in Short Film “Esperanza’s Turn”
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Who is Buzzworthy?
Filmmaker Melissa Rue unveils the struggles of an immigrant girl to overcome bullying with her new narrative short film, Esperanza’s Turn.
The film premiered at The International Peace & Film Festival in Orlando, Florida on February 1st and will now head out on the circuit stopping for screening at the INDIE Film Festival in Phoenix, Arizona; McMinnville Short Film Festival in Oregon; Children’s Film Festival in Seattle, Washington; and Las Cruces International Film Festival in New Mexico.
What is the premise of Esperanza’s Turn?
The film is described as: the story of a 12-year-old immigrant farm worker who taps into her imagination to confront a bully at school. While working the blueberry fields of the Pacific Northwest, Esperanza is exposed to pesticides and a lecherous foreman. Hoping to find refuge at school, she instead faces a racist bully who torments her even further. But Esperanza has a secret weapon — her imagination. She’ll have to tap into it if she wants to defeat her tormenters and find the strength for a better future.
What else do we know about Esperanza’s Turn?
The young girl starring in the film is Niku Edlund-Farsad, who makes her acting debut portraying Esperanza. For the soundtrack, Melissa enlisted music producer Don Paul, Grammy-nominated guitarist Alex de Grassi, renowned percussionist Hamid Drake and Afghan Whigs musician/engineer Rick G. Nelson. The project was executive produced by David Rue and edited by Heidi Zimmerman.
Why did Melissa Rue want to make this film?
“I wanted to make a film that would both entertain and raise awareness about the exploitation of immigrant child farm workers in the U.S. Kids like Esperanza are the least protected by law in our country. They help put food on our tables, but live in the shadows, unable to appeal for help when they’re mistreated at work and afraid to draw attention to themselves at school. It’s way past time for our country to begin operating on the principle that all lives have equal value and deserve equal protection under the law.”
What is Melissa Rue’s background?
Melissa is on a mission to create projects that are compassionate and offer cross-cultural experiences. Previously, she has earned several accolades for her films including: Best Dramatic Film at The Oregon Independent Film Festival for Circles; Audience Award Winner at the 5th Avenue Cinema’s Visuals Festival for The Land Between; and Best Social Issues Documentary at The Oregon Independent Film Festival and Jury Award the 5th Avenue Cinema’s Visuals Festival for Century Farm.
What else is Melissa Rue working on?
Melissa co-produces the documentary web series, Interconnections, about people and programs making a positive impact on our society and environment. She also associate produces the original comedy web series, One Bird at a Time.
She is also currently finishing up the documentary feature film, Live Out Loud, and developing a dramatic series with plans for shooting it on location in Kentucky next year.
Want to keep up with Melissa Rue and Esperanza’s Turn?
Visit her website at: melissagregoryrue.com
Or find her on social media
Instagram: @melissagregoryrue
Twitter: @gregory_rue
FB: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.g.rue.9
