DOGGY BANK

It’s no secret that Brazil is the crazy old relative of the Latin American family. Quick to spout its own self-importance in a language none of the other family members can understand. Brazil resides in its giant house alone (in the best real estate in South America by the way), murmuring its own culture and philosophies to itself.

As a Latinx filmmaker living in America for 10 years, I’ve held crazy old Brazil inside of me, looking for opportunities to transform those ancient murmurings into a modern shout. I found one such opportunity after reading Quincas Borba by classic Brazilian author Machado de Assis. Think “Mark Twain” with a Tropicalia swagger.

Doggy Bank is a genre blending episodic injecting some of the most iconic Brazilian literature in the setting of one of America’s most classic and widely regarded cities – Bakersfield, California. In its artistic style, the audience will experience the absurdity of its world through skewed camera angles and long shots that knit together its unique framed compositions. Extensive works of practical make-up along with digital effects add a layer of authenticity to the characters, thrusting them from the literary world and onto the screen. This allows the audience to relate on a personal level, which is very important to me.

The high production value of Doggy Bank makes it shine on the screen, but don’t be fooled… we polished this low budget gem with sandpaper and spit-shined it by an amazing diverse group. The production was composed of an international crew of 85% queer, female, and BIPOC identifying people and one half Shi-Tsu half Yorkie pup.