PROJECT
Documentary
STATUS
Production
FUNDRAISING GOAL
$100,000
DESERT ANGEL
In a duel with death, aging naturalized Mexican immigrant Rafael Larraenza sacrifices his hard won American Dream to perform a harrowing high stakes DIY rescue service for those desperate enough to cross the border, just as he did 30 years before. Thirty years ago, Rafael Larraenza crossed into the U.S. illegally from Mexico. After gaining citizenship, a career, and a comfortable life, a twist of fate in 1992 would take him back to the border, changing his life for the second time. For 25 years now, he has roamed the deserts, mountains, and canyons along the border searching for lost immigrants in need of rescue and giving them life saving aid. Part detective and part humanitarian, Rafael has the unique ability to find people when nobody else can. His phone number is passed from family to family when they have nowhere else to turn to for help. Ask anyone who you should call when a family member goes missing and the answer is always the same – Rafael. His pace is steady and measured, and though his sixty-seven year old body desperately needs two hip replacements and a back operation from the years of hiking, Rafael cannot stop. Rafael knows that minutes can, quite literally, be the difference between life and death, so he pushes on. Desert Angel will follow Rafael on his emergency rescue missions and capture images of the border terrain never before documented. The filmmakers will have real time access to the powerful stories of those who survive, those who perish, and the family members on both sides of the border who are impacted.
To make a donation in support of DESERT ANGEL make out a check payable to: SIMA STUDIOS and mail to 632 Westbourne Drive, West Hollywood 90069, CA. SIMA’s Tax ID is 46-2836025. Be sure to write “DESERT ANGEL” on the notes/memo line of the check. If you would prefer to make a wire transfer, please reach out to project@simastudios.org.
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