How Rachel McDonald portrayed the human impact of U.S. immigration laws

This gorgeously shot and emotionally impactful film, Directed by Rachel McDonald and titled Hermanos, sensitively depicts the harrowing journey of two young immigrant brothers who become separated from their mother at the U.S. border.  

Hermanos arrives at a pivotal moment as the U.S. faces the upcoming 2024 presidential election, encouraging viewers to reflect on the ongoing immigration crisis and the potential consequences of policy decisions. 

Here, McDonald talks us through how sublime cinematography, powerful performances - particularly from such young cast members - and a meticulously researched story culminated in an emotionally resonant and politically relevant cinematic piece. 

How did the concept for the film evolve and what was your motivation for making it? 

The concept of Hermanos developed as a response to the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border: families being separated, children in detention centres, and the general lack of compassion at a human level. I began to write the story in 2019, and it came about initially from an image of two brothers whose resilience would be tested by their separation from their mother.  All in all, it took about four years from that first draft until now to release the film. 

Needless to say, COVID got in the way. The urgency of the crisis in 2019 has only intensified over time and the issue has continued to demand attention. I felt compelled to tell this story both as an artist and a person sadly witnessing these events.

It definitely required extensive research to accurately depict the very complex and painful realities families at the border faced. 

What research did you do to make sure the story truthfully reflected the issues at hand?

It definitely required extensive research to accurately depict the very complex and painful realities families at the border faced. I read dozens of articles, watched news footage, and reviewed firsthand accounts of detention centre conditions. A Mexican actor and writer assisted me in creating a culturally and linguistically accurate story. 

I also consulted with a human rights lawyer who had been directly involved in reunifying families separated at the border. This story called for sensitivity and truth, so I made sure to check the details with those who knew the situation best.

Where did you shoot, and how did you decide on this location?

We filmed Hermanos in Texas and Mexico, finding locations that would allow us to realistically recreate both the harshness of detention centres and the brothers' journey. We wanted to juxtapose their home in Mexico with the brothers' experiences on US soil so the environment needed to be natural and ruthless. The challenge lay in finding places that could show the weight of their surroundings but still respect visual integrity for the storytelling.

I spent a lot of time with these two young actors when the cameras weren’t rolling so that we had a wonderful rapport and could navigate the scenes together.

Can you tell us about the casting process and choices, particularly the brothers?

We needed two young actors who could convey both innocence and strength. Seth Gutiérrez and Carlos Sanchez brought this and so much more to Santino and Tomás.  I actually met Seth on a commercial shoot and immediately saw something special in him.  So, I instantly thought of him for the role of the older brother. 

Once I found Carlos, it was incredible how much chemistry they had and how much the emotional weight in each and every scene is pulled by them. Jorge A. Jimenez, who plays the father of the boys, was key in helping guide them through difficult dialogue moments and truly took on a paternal role on the set. The entire cast brought in a level of heart and dedication that made each moment feel deeply real.

The story goes back and forward in time, showing us glimpses of the brothers’ past lives then bringing us back into the present – can you tell us more about why you chose to structure the film like this?

I wanted the audience to experience the reality of this one family’s situation.  Many of these families travel to the United States to escape some sort of violence and in an effort to give their children a better life. But they are often confronted with a hostile reality after crossing the border. The flashbacks just remind one of what's lost and what the brothers fight to regain. This structure enables the audience to feel that longing and the resilience that drives the characters, making them more emotionally connected with the story.

This topic is painful and layered and I wanted to respect what real families are going through on the border without sensationalism.  

What was it like working with young actors and such difficult themes?

Working with such young actors on such heavy material demands a sensitive approach. Seth and Carlos were uniquely mature on an emotional level and we shared a lot of talks with them to make them feel more secure and at ease on the set. Most importantly, what was needed was to create an environment where they actually could feel the story without getting overwhelmed. 

I spent a lot of time with these two young actors when the cameras weren’t rolling so that we had a wonderful rapport and could navigate the scenes together. I loved witnessing how Seth and Carlos brought a rawness and an authenticity to their performances that elevated the entire film.

The cinematography is gorgeous, were there any specific sources of inspiration for the film’s aesthetics?

I had long discussions with Amado Stachenfeld, our Director of Photography, about the look and feel of Hermanos. In an effort to capture desolation and hope, we drew inspiration from films that we love, the desert landscapes themselves, and journalistic references from the border crisis.

We wanted to give each frame emotional resonance by playing with intimate framing and light and shadow to reflect the inner states of the characters. Amado's cinematography captures the humanity and the starkness of the journey in a really delicate way.

At its core, Hermanos is a story of resilience and the bonding of family that continues in spite of all of life’s challenges.

What were the highlights and challenges of this project?

The biggest highlight was working with a really committed and talented team of believers in the story we were telling. I felt so grateful for all of the crew and cast in Texas and their dedication given the difficult subject matter. This was a story we knew we had to portray sensitively and respectfully. This topic is painful and layered and I wanted to respect what real families are going through on the border without sensationalism.