Hippie Hollow

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TYPE: Narrative Short
GENRE: Student Film
STATUS: Pre-Production

LOGLINE

Construction worker Uriel’s private escape to a nude beach takes an unexpected turn when he encounters his son Jorge there with his boyfriend.

SYNOPSIS

In Hippie Hollow, Uriel, a father and construction worker, retreats from a chaotic day to a clothing-optional beach. There, he unexpectedly encounters his son Jorge with his boyfriend. The boundaries of their lives blur, revealing fragile connections and a shared desire to live authentically.

ARTISTIC STATEMENT

When my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, he often recited a phrase his father, a World War II veteran, had taught him: “A soldier doesn’t bring his family to war.” He distanced himself from my mother and tried to endure his illness alone, clinging to a version of masculinity that defined him as a father, husband, and provider. Though he survived—now in remission for 29 years—the emotional toll of his battle and his fear of vulnerability left lasting scars.

As a filmmaker, these familial experiences of distance and silence are deeply embedded in my work. My father and I communicate like two ships flashing lights across a stormy sea. I often wonder what it would look like if we could speak to each other honestly, accepting each other beyond the rigid expectations of masculinity that have shaped our lives. This reflection has profoundly influenced my artistic practice, where I explore identity, intimacy, and the human desire to be seen and accepted.

My film Hippie Hollow builds on these personal themes but extends to broader questions of connection. During a research trip to Austin, I saw a white pickup truck filled with construction materials parked at a nude beach. I imagined its driver on a break from the hard labor of demolishing drywall, and the softness of the embrace of the water on bare skin. 

Uriel’s story, like my father’s, reflects the complexities of masculinity, labor, and family. The textures of his life—the fiberglass dust at work, the tender gaze at his child, the serene caress of the lake—are woven into a poetic montage that honors his full humanity. These universal desires to be accepted and loved are central to my work.

My experience as a documentary producer in Argentina, following stories of migrant workers and marginalized communities, has strengthened my interest in Latin American narratives. I have consistently been drawn to stories that explore resilience and identity, especially in the context of labor, youth, and migration. As I continue developing my cinematic voice, I remain committed to examining the nuanced intersections of identity and emotional resilience. Film allows me to look closely and listen deeply, holding space for the multiplicity of lives that shape our world and the common experiences that bind us as humans. Through this lens, I strive to celebrate the universality of our desire to be seen and understood—whether in the soft light of dawn or the silence between waves.

KEY CREW

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