The Other Side of the Wall

Alejandro (18), and Rocio’s (13) relationship is faced with the greatest challenge possible when their mother is imprisoned under unjust charges and they soon have to act as father and mother to their two younger siblings. Initially they promise to help each other and keep their family together until their mother is released but as undocumented Honduran immigrants their right to live, work and study in Mexico was already under threat. Soon the prison wall that keeps their mother away provokes other emotional barriers that prevent the brother and sister from understanding each other while facing discrimination, illegal immigration status, inability to study and even enjoy their youth.

Rocio is 13; she’s the second of the four siblings. Since her mother was sent to prison she has played the typical role of a mother in the family. As a promising young student she had to drop out of school and turn to duties of care and nurture for her younger siblings; like cleaning and cooking. She’s an extremely mature, strong headed, intelligent teenager seeking independence which was shattered at an early age as she struggles to fulfill the role of motherhood. Rocío, is also going through adolescence and shares responsibilities with Alejandro but she doesn’t want to lose him as a brother. Meanwhile, Alejandro is 18 and he’s the oldest of the four siblings. As the male figure he naturally became the head of the house as they awaited their mother’s case. He is also a husband to his young wife and soon to be father. While all living under the same roof, like Rocio, he too, had to leave his software engineering studies and focus on earning money for the family. He is honest and mature but he is still a young male teenager who has a hard time playing the role of a father.

These young siblings are confronted with unexpected emotions and gender roles, discrimination, unjust immigration systems and inability to enjoy their youth let alone access to education. Along their journey of hope and opportunity on the other side of the wall they strive through love, dedication and justice as these turmoils soon turn into light.