Tijuana Makes Me Happy

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Tijuana Makes Me Happy
Tijuana makes me happy-911430203-large.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Dylan Verrechia
Written by Dylan Verrechia
Produced byJames Lefkowitz, Dylan Verrechia
StarringPablo Tendilla Ortiz (Indio), Pablo Tendilla Rocha (Jhonny), Aidee Gonzalez (Rebecca), Darina Rabago Soto (Brianda)
CinematographyJames Lefkowitz
Edited byJames Lefkowitz
Music by Nortec Collective
Distributed by25th Frame
Release date
Running time
79 minutes
Country Mexico
LanguageSpanish

Tijuana Makes Me Happy is a 2007 film made in Tijuana, Mexico. It was directed by Dylan Verrechia, co-produced by James Lefkowitz, with original music by Nortec Collective, and titled by writer Rafael Saavedra.

Contents

The movie premiered at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival, where it received the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature. Tijuana Makes Me Happy is the first film in the Tijuana or Tijuas trilogy, [1] which includes Tierra madre and La Pura Vida.

Synopsis

Indio is a fourteen-year-old boy who lives in Playas de Tijuana. Every day after school, Indio works at Sacramento's ranch in the hopes of buying his own cockfighting rooster, el Gyro. When his dad refuses to help him buy the rooster, Indio starts selling empanadas and washing cars. One day, after he skips school to play with his friends, Indio meets Brianda, a young prostitute working in the red light district. As time passes, Indio learns what it means to make money, a tough journey that takes him across the border, from Montes Olímpicos to San Diego. Greed however takes the best of Indio; neglecting his rooster, he fights el Gyro to win over the love of Brianda.

Cast

Development

Verrechia came up with the concept of the film alongside producer James Lefkowitz, while the two were filming a documentary on child abuse and prostituion in Tijuana. During their travels the paid had met many good people, prompting Verecchia to make a film that shows a more realistic portrayal of Tijuana and dispel stereotypes that portray the city as a "city of sin". [2] [3]

Release

Tijuana Makes Me Happy had its world premiere in January 2007 at the Slamdance Film Festival. [4] It has not received a general release.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Joe Leydon of Variety reviewed Tijuana Makes Me Happy, describing it as "slight but likable." [5] Josh Rosenblatt also reviewed the film for The Austin Chronicle , calling it both a "charming coming-of-age story and a celebration of the most infamous of all Mexican border towns" as well as a "subtle criticism of society's lust for money and success and the lengths to which people will go to attain both." [6]

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Tijuana Makes Me Happy". VERRECHIA FILMS LLC. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  2. ↑ Lieber, Sara; Monroy, Liza; Spurrier, Jeff; Summa, Ann; Tavel, Rachel (2007-10-08). MTV Best of Mexico. John Wiley & Sons. p. 59. ISBN   978-0-7645-8775-7.
  3. ↑ Muñoz, Gabriel Trujillo (2019-11-06). Tan cerca de Hollywood: Cine, televisión y video en Baja California. Editorial UABC. ISBN   978-607-607-572-2.
  4. 1 2 Vice, Jeff (28 January 2007). "Slamdance hands out its 'Sparky' film awards". Deseret News. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
  5. ↑ Leydon, Joe (2007-01-29). "Tijuana Makes Me Happy". Variety. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  6. ↑ Rosenblatt, Josh (April 20, 2007). "Travelogue". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  7. ↑ Kilday, Gregg (2007-01-29). "Slamdance heads to 'Tijuana'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  8. ↑ Kay, Jeremy. "Tijuana, Unsettled are top Slamdance winners". Screen Daily. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
  9. ↑ "Events: Aztec Theater, June 22 - SAFILM INDIE MAX AWARD". San Antonio underground Film Festival. June 13, 2007. Archived from the original on October 6, 2007. Retrieved June 30, 2018.


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