“EL ULTIMO TRAMO” is an upcoming short film project that will be released in late 2024.
Our goal is to replace the negative stigma of addiction with compassion and understanding for those dealing with addiction.
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM HERE
This film project tells the bittersweet, but hopeful story of addiction and rehabilitation. While the film takes place in Argentina, addiction is something that is universal and with it comes an unfortunate universal stigma as well.
The goal of this project is to replace negative stigma with compassion and understanding for those dealing with addiction.
Through the film we will illustrate the realities of struggling and attempting to get clean and create conversation surrounding addiction and rehabilitation
Creating the short film is just the first step in completing our mission statement.
MISSION STATEMENT:
“The 4 Pillars of Rehabilitation:
Love, Understanding, Dialogue and Dedication.”
In Buenos Aires, Argentina, a recovered addict seeking to repair his personal and family life, returns to the rehabilitation center that saved his future. When a fellow patient runs away, he follows after him to bring the patient back to get the help he needs before it is too late.
THE SHORT FILM:
On the outskirts of Buenos Aires, you’ll find Vencer Para Vivir: A small rehabilitation center that you wouldn’t easily stumble upon without effort. I learned about it when my cousin Lucas Fernandez invited me there in 2022 while I was visiting Argentina. He had spent two years there recovering from drug addiction. Of course, it was no easy struggle, but it was one that he overcame, and he is now living a clean life.
THE REAL LIFE INSPIRATION:
When I went to visit, I was surprised for it to not be like what I expected. The place is not a hospital-like setting and you won’t find a 12-step program here, instead the efforts are focused on 4 pillars: love, understanding, dialogue and dedication. Residents work in various roles and tasks through which they change their habits and prepare to reintegrate into society.
While there, I understood how special this place was to him. He kept telling me how this was the only place that felt like home. The people there are his family. During our time there, we decided that we wanted to make a short film. Several months later, I came up with a fictional idea for a short film, inspired by his stories from the center.
The 15-minute film will be shot on location in Argentina and seeks to humanize people dealing with addiction while illustrating the realities of attempting to get clean. Through actors and real-life residents of the rehab center, the film will tell a fictional but reality-based story.
-Filmmaker Dominick Cura
Lucas Fernandez, the co-writer of the film.
THE TEAM
Having grown up in California, Lucas fell into drug addiction which eventually led to him returning to his birthplace of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Only after several years of struggling did he finally become a resident at Vencer Para Vivir, the rehabilitation center that this film is based upon. He spent 2 years there fighting his addiction and eventually succeeding in having a substance-free life. The center still is a special place for him that he frequently visits with his kids. “My home” is what Lucas calls Vencer Para Vivir.
Co-Writer / Actor
LUCAS FERNANDEZ
Having no formal film or acting background, this would be Lucas’s first film production. He will play the role of the protagonist, Martin. The intention of having a non-actor play this role is to blend reality and fiction and have Lucas draw from his real-life experiences as a recovered addict to bring the role to life.
DOMINICK CURA
Jeremiah Schuler was born in Buffalo, New York, and grew up in Argentina and Washington State. He is a self-taught storyteller and Co-owner of L61 Productions. As an artist, he is determined to create windows that allow the audience to peer into the lives of others, and to create doors into the experience of minority and Latin voices. Jeremiah's work as a DP revolves around creating stories for the underrepresented that make an impact and capture the magic of good storytelling.
Director of Photography
JEREMIAH SCHULER
Christian Hostetler is a proud queer filmmaker, working full time as an assistant video editor and script supervisor. Their work spans multiple genres of film from commercial to independent narrative, with a focus on non-profit and activist causes. With a wide breadth of human experience to draw from, Christian works and aspires to create more narrative content that can unite and captivate audiences for the future that lies ahead.
CHRISTIAN HOSTETLER
Assistant Editor
Dominick Cura is passionate about telling stories of different perspectives and cultures from people around the world. He graduated from Ithaca College’s film program where he connected with various passionate peers. Upon graduation he began working in his hometown of Seattle, Washington, breaking into the local film industry there. He’s worked as a production assistant for National Geographic, Netflix, and more. In his work as an assistant director he recently finished work on Marcie’s, an indie-film shot entirely in Washington state.
Director / Co-Writer
Dominick has directed two short films in the past, his first being Color of the Sky, a bittersweet short about finding the happiness in the smaller things in life. El Ultimo Tramo is Dominick’s most passionate project to date, inspired by and created with his cousin Lucas Fernandez who lives in Argentina.
He has been able to build a portfolio around discussing social justice issues, equity, and equality for a wide range of people through his work with clients such as The PGA Tour, National Geographic, NBC, and many large non-profits. Jeremiah hopes to help bring El Ultimo Tramo to life and is extremely excited to make this story a reality.
JOHNNY SCHULER
Editor / Sound Recordist
Johnny Schuler is an Argentine American video editor and filmmaker. Working both with larger productions like National Geographic and smaller non-profit organizations, their work aims to connect the audience with underrepresented communities and help them tell their stories. With a portfolio that includes a variety of film, commercial, and non-profit projects, Johnny has a talent for finding and shaping compelling narratives, building character arcs, and pushing each element of production to its fullest potential.
CONTINUING OUR MISSION:
Creating our short film is only the first step in continuing our mission statement. After the release of the short film we have several objectives to further create conversation and humanize addiction.
• Promote the film and its message through a wide online release and film festival screenings.
• Continue social media campaign, promoting our message
• Alongside screenings, hold panels with recovered addicts to share their stories and spark dialogue.
HOW TO HELP:
• FOLLOW us on INSTAGRAM at @elultimotramo_film and FACEBOOK
Currently we are in the post-production process and plan to release the film in late 2024/early 2025 after a festival run. Stay tuned for updates!