The Grit of it All

In 1988 Arizona, Detective James, a man struggling with past trauma, is assigned to investigate a grisly murder in "Las Sombras", an abandoned western show town

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Director: Alek Mendez
Producer: Alek Mendez
Cinematographer: Alek Mendez
Production Designer: Alek Mendez
Editor: Alek Mendez
Sound Designer: Alek Mendez
Cast: John Aguirre, Sofia Galina Garcia, Tesfaye Jones

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Alek Mendez

Alek Mendez is a director and cinematographer whose passion for storytelling is fueled by his cultural roots. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, Alek crafts visually rich narratives that not only captivate but resonate with authenticity, honoring the depth and vibrancy of his Mexican culture. His previous short film Quédate Un Rato (Stay a While) was officially selected by the Phoenix International Film Festival and the Nogales International Film Festival. His thesis film The Grit of It All is an exploration of the horror genre, exploring themes of grief, mental health, and the struggle for control, seeking fragments of light amidst the darkness.