In a powerful and poignant declaration, the trailer for the upcoming film "Clika" boldly opens with, "Migrant workers do what no one else wants to do in this country. Now, it’s my turn to live the American dream." This compelling feature is set to hit theaters across the nation on January 23.
Described as a classic "rags to riches" narrative, the film's journey centers around Chito, a Mexican American migrant worker who toils in the fields harvesting fruit. His life takes a dramatic turn when a clip of him performing one of his original songs goes viral, offering him a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.
Sean McBride, a native of Wilbraham and one of the film's co-writers and co-producers, expressed the film's mission: "We aimed to capture the experience of an artist evolving from humble beginnings to achieving success. Think about that moment when a family fears losing their home, and then suddenly, they’re celebrating because they’ve just bought their mother her dream house." In a recent conversation with The Republican, McBride emphasized the emotional depth he hopes to convey through Chito's story.
"Clika" marks the inaugural film from Rancho Humilde, the production company founded by music producer Jimmy Humilde. Known for elevating Mexican music talents like Fuerza Regida and Natanael Cano, Humilde's venture into filmmaking addresses a significant gap in representation. McBride noted that while attending various events in Los Angeles, Humilde noticed a predominantly Latino audience, yet the stars were often lacking. He observed that the Latino music scene was largely influenced by Puerto Rican and Cuban artists, leaving Mexican musicians underrepresented.
Recognizing this disparity within the film industry as well, Humilde's company aims to spotlight Mexican culture, with "Clika" being the first step in this direction. Throughout the creative process, McBride and his writing partner, Michael Greene, collaborated closely with Humilde to ensure the film authentically reflects Mexican heritage.
McBride shared, "Michael and I felt incredibly fortunate to access all the resources and talent at Rancho Humilde. For the first time in our careers, we were able to utilize tools we had always dreamed of working with, enabling us to craft a compelling story."
Having grown up in Wilbraham and graduated from Minnechaug Regional High School, McBride reminisced about his early education at Mile Tree Elementary School where he learned about America as a "melting pot" of diverse cultures. Reflecting on the current state of society, he expressed a desire for viewers to understand the perspective of individuals striving to rise above their circumstances. "I hope audiences recognize the journey of Chito, who is just one among countless others still laboring in the fields," he remarked. "To dismiss the contributions of these hardworking individuals to American society is, to me, utterly absurd."
The film stars Jay Dee in the leading role as Chito, alongside a talented ensemble cast that includes Nana Ponceleon, Josh Benitez, Eric Roberts, Master P, Alison Chace, Bourke Floyd, Cory Aycock, Cristian E. Gutierrez, and the late Peter Greene, among others.
For those eager to learn more about "Clika" and its showtimes, you can visit the official website at clika.movie.
