Kaitlyn Gomez
Aly Muritiba’s newest short film America is an unsparing reflection of the current political and social climate in the United States regarding President Trump’s immigration policies. Starring Brazil-born Luca Castellani as Tom, the film gives audiences a harrowing but necessary look into the reality of millions of immigrants living in America today as they live in constant fear of them or their loved ones being arrested by ICE.
A Forbes “30 Under 30” recipient, Castellani is an actor who has focused on LGBTQ+ rights and representation throughout his career, as well as speaking out in favor of immigration.
The film opens with a tone that makes it seem as though you are watching a documentary: clips of a political protest against deportation and in support of immigrants, and our main character leading the chant “Deportation, hell no. Donald Trump has got to go” and a call-and-response chant about democracy. This opening segment not only gives us context of the theme of the film we are about to watch, but places us in the mindset that although the story is fictional, it is based on the despairing reality of the state of our country today.
Following the opening scene we get into the crux of the story. Tom is a waiter at a small bar/restaurant and we are very quickly introduced to an important aspect of his character. He is gay and makes extra money from many of his male customers by meeting with them in the bathroom for sexual favors. The most notable of these customers is a white police officer who visits the restaurant regularly, always getting the same order (black coffee with “milk” is Tom’s code order). The next day, Tom notices a new face: an attractive middle aged white man wearing a cowboy hat (portrayed by Cheyenne Jackson). Tom notices him immediately and, when receiving his order, waits in the bathroom for him under the assumption that he is there for one particular reason. To Tom’s surprise, however, the man doesn’t show, and rather leaves some cash on the table and walks out. This repeats the next day, and on day three, Tom finally introduces himself and the man, whose name is revealed to be Josh, takes him out on a date after he finishes his shift.
The two quickly begin a relationship, bonding over music, cooking, and the love they hold for their families despite difficulties. After some time passes and they fall for each other more, the cop returns to the restaurant and feels insulted and humiliated when Tom tells him that he is “out of milk.” The scene cuts to Josh and Tom out with some of Tom’s friends, and they learn that another friend was taken by ICE from her place of work. Tom panics, knowing he lives in a primarily Latino neighborhood which will be an easy target. Josh tells him to come live at his house, and he accepts.
The police officer once again shows up at the restaurant, offended at Tom turning down his advances. As Tom begins to leave, the officer asks for his documents, knowing he cannot provide them. Tom runs to the parking lot where Josh is waiting to pick him up, but the conflict escalates as the officer barrels towards Josh with his gun, and we hear a gunshot as we look at Tom in deep distress. The credits roll and Tom is shown driving, crying in agony, with Josh bleeding out on his lap before it cuts to black.
Although the film has a total runtime of only 23 minutes, a full story is told and carries the audience through a range of emotions from beginning to end. While the cinematography and score are notably spectacular, Castellani’s performance in particular packs a punch. His expressions reveal exactly what his character feels without saying a word, and he perfectly captures the butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling of falling for someone who seems to know exactly who you are during your first conversation. As the camera sets on his face for just over a minute in the final scene, he conveys anger, anxiety, horror, and grief all at one, giving the audience a gut-wrenching last impression on the film.
As the cast and crew gears up for a For Your Consideration campaign for this must-see film, Luca Castellani will be adding another title to his resume: actor (and an exceptional one at that).