Las Vegas NowUNLV Professor Premieres Latino Film at CineVegas

UNLV Professor Premieres Latino Film at CineVegas

The struggles of Latino families in America are the focus of a new movie premiering this week at the CineVegas Film Festival. A UNLV professor says he made the film to open the public's eyes about what life is like for immigrants once they come to the U.S.

The movie is called "Primo" -- in English that means cousin. It's about three cousins who were separated as children during the civil war in El Salvador. Their journey through life brings them here to Las Vegas.  

Director Francisco Menendez started writing "Primo" just 10 years ago. But it's been on his mind for decades.

"The story is about a family and a family has to learn what it means to be a family and the cost of that," said Menendez.

It's the story of three young cousins born and raised in El Salvador, separated because of a civil war.

"Someone was left behind, abandoned and two were allowed a life and what they did with that life and what they did when the guy was left behind comes back," said Menendez.

The movie shows the dangers of illegally crossing the border into the United States and the risk thousands take everyday for a better life.

"I think Latinos come in all flavors, and when Americans think of Latinos, they think about meeting a stereotype," he said.

Menendez says his father got him interested in the movies at the age of 9. His family has always supported him and even helped him as he made his own film.

"We had to find a semi-automatic weapon. My mother found it and transported it to set. That's a 25-year prison sentence if found carrying an automatic weapon. Risks were taken to make sure this film happened," he said.

And it did that just. Menendez hopes the world premiere at CineVegas is just the beginning.

"I'd like to hit the festival circuit. I'd like it to be available at the video store and have some international flare."

Introducing the film industry to his roots and culture he shares with so many others.

Since the majority of the film was shot here in Las Vegas, it also allowed students at the film department at UNLV to be involved in a feature film.

The world premiere is scheduled for Thursday and is already sold out.