What was a typical job escalates into a violent argument in this heart-stopping drama. Enrique is a young man far from home trying to make a living wage as a day laborer on the streets of Los Angeles. He thinks he has finally caught a break when Marcus and Kathy pick him up, along with two other immigrant laborers, to help them move. On the job Enrique meets and befriends their teenage son Zack as he helps pack up his childhood room. But things quickly take a turn for the worst when Marcus attempts to pay the men with a check, unaware that day laborers are often cheated out of their wages with bad checks. Asimple misunderstanding explodes into a violent standoff with Enrique stuck in the middle.
A Day’s Work examines the hopes and fears inherent to the immigrant story, both on the part those crossing the border and those willing to take advantage of the influx of cheap labor. When violence erupts, the prejudices of all involved are brought to light and mistrust, assumption and language stand as barriers to an easy resolution.
Awards:
Gold medal - Student Academy Awards 2008
Best International Film - Short Shorts Festival in Japan
Audience Award for Best Short Film - AFI Dallas International Film Festival 2008
Best Student Film - Vail Film Festival 2008
Best Student Film - Method Film Festival 2008
Audience Award for Best Short Film, Stargazer Award, Luis Chavez for Best New Talent – Gen Art Film Festival New York 2008
Special Jury Prize for Best Ensemble Cast - Florida Film Festival 2008