Genre: Drama
Director: Daniel Tantalean
Written by: Jennifer Winterbotham
El Sueno is a film about two brothers – Diego and Hector Hernandez – trying to find the happiness that once held their family together. One night, the screaming and fighting of their parents’ marital disputes seep through the walls into Diego’s room. To comfort his brother, Diego tells Hector a fairy tale of a happy family that has lost their way, and somehow managed to find their way back. The images that Diego creates of the happy family linger with Hector, but as the tale progresses, so does the truth of the Hernandez family struggles.
This is a story that explores real and imagined experiences of family relationships. It hinges on two brothers that find another way to happiness and understanding in a time of desolation, when family is torn apart. El Sueno is the one story that can afford to loose and find you at the same time. In it’s final analysis it questions our understandings of our perceived experiences.
Hector’s reality about his family and Diego’s are very different. Diego could understand what his parents were going through. But Hector on the other hand relied on Diego’s perceived interpretation in order to make sense of the reality about his family. In the end both brothers believe in a dream about their family – a perfect family in the end – quite the opposite of the resultant.
Hence, El Sueno carves a simple story of evolution, that within the chaos of our lives there exists an intrinsic value worth reaching out for and a hope worth dreaming about – an inevitable order. That trying to find the happiness that once held their family together, these two brothers might yet chance upon it, though, in the mean time, they have to hope and dream. This is all they’re capable of. There’s nothing else they can do but hope!
It’s a moving story and a commendable direction. I hope when people see this film they can think more about the philosophical meanings. This story calls for reflection.
You can find the teaser here.
Daniel Tantalean is a young director, cinematographer, and producer in his own film production company, Formatted Pictures. He creates emotionally charged dramatic films with a focus on political and social themes. He aspires to be a feature film director and continues to explore social themes through his films.
Daniel graduated from the Film and Media Production program at Arizona State University. During his time at ASU, he was a driving force in the young film program, directing, producing, crewing out on, and organizing more than 60 student films during four years. Daniel now lives in New York City, using his strong body of work to begin his filmmaking career. He works as an editor/shooter for the Brooklyn-based production company, Plywood Pictures.
Daniel continues to work on short films as a freelance cinematographer and is currently developing a feature film titled La Voz (The Voice).
A very well filmed short. Did Daniel use the same cinematographer as for the music video, ‘Been Around The World’.
Hey Yert! Daniel used a different cinematographer, Andrew Hendrix, for the “Been Around the World” Music video. Andrew also did all of the visual effects for the video in post.
Guys, this is some good work here, plus the ‘Been Around The World’ video. I am a fan already! Kudos. I wish I could collaborate with you guys on a project.
But I have to get the money first, LOL.
And Jennifer, thanks for answering me so promptly.