El Batán, Small and Pretty

A former small town got eaten up by the city and became a neighborhood that refuses to lose its identity.
Through the eyes of its inhabitants, we witness a generational shift, and the rise of community spirit that builds a new identity mixing old and new.

Filmmaker Statement:
After COVID-19, I yearned to explore and connect with open spaces and stories of resilience. One rainy day, I discovered a hidden neighborhood that was an oasis of tranquility in the midst of the bustling city. This sparked my journey to explore Batán, a place frozen in time. As I delved deeper, I saw the struggles of an aging community facing change and reinvention. But Batán has a unique essence – it’s about the community’s resistance to disappearing. With a small crew, we became “friends of the neighborhood”, allowing for honest conversations with the town’s characters. The biggest challenge was balancing the story of what Batán once was versus what it’s becoming. I aimed for a light, travel-documentary tone to engage viewers and inspire curiosity. Batán is a microcosm of universal themes, a reminder that hidden corners exist where community, resilience, and the human spirit shine. It’s a story of change, continuity, and the power of a place to define and be defined by its people.

Directed by Francisco Herrera & Angélica Cervera.
Filmmaker’s IMDB | Film’s Shortverse Page | Follow Francisco “Paco” on Instagram | Follow Angélica on Instagram