“When Big People Lie” director Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz Explores Immigration, Family, and Lost Innocence in New Short Film
LOS ANGELES, CA – Filmmaker Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz’s short film, When Big People Lie, delves into the complex realities faced by children of immigrants navigating a world shaped by adult decisions and societal pressures. In a recent interview with Deadline, Fernández-Ruiz discussed the film’s origins in his own family’s experiences and his hope that it sparks conversation about immigration, class, and the frequently enough-overlooked contributions of immigrant communities.
The film centers on a young boy and his mother, subtly touching upon themes of citizenship and belonging. Fernández-Ruiz revealed the story was sparked by his mother’s journey to citizenship and stories of family members who viewed their status as a transactional asset.”The core of this film is that I’m a boy, and my mom is doing everything she can to take care of me,” he explained.”I woudl like audiences to think about their moms…and discuss what’s happening in the landscape of immigration and all the other issues that are unfolding, in addition to their own personal relationships.”
Fernández-Ruiz emphasizes the film isn’t intended as a direct political statement, but rather a human story that invites reflection. He critiques the oversimplification of immigration policy, noting, “There’s an oversimplification of like, ’Oh, well, this person shouldn’t have come to this country in the first place. Keep the family together. Take them all the way over there.'” He highlights the vital contributions of immigrants to American society, often unseen amidst negative narratives.
the director further articulated the emotional toll on children caught in thes circumstances. “Now they have to compromise their innocence to answer for the things that their parents did,” he said, adding, “Nobody’s a saint.” When Big People lie aims to portray the weight of these burdens and the resilience required to navigate them.
