portfolio - current projects
"TIJUANA ZEBRA" – NARRATIVE FEATURE LENGTH SCREENPLAY
"TIJUANA ZEBRA" explores what can happen to people when they are separated from their indigenous culture, and considers what it means to be Latino in America today.
When a teenage first generation Mexican American, bred on the American pop culture of iPods, McDonald's and Paris Hilton, takes a trip to Tijuana, not only is he suddenly confronted with the Latino world he has never known, but he also makes a profound discovery about himself.
The development and writing of this script has been a two year process. But my interest in Latino culture began with a short film I wrote and directed in 2005, and completed in 2006, called BROKEN (QUEBRADO), which tells the story of a boxer from East Los Angeles struggling with defeat and unrealized dreams. While making BROKEN, I learned a deep appreciation not only for the Latino culture, but for all people who are denied opportunity and who struggle day to day to survive in a country hostile to their differences.
The main character in "TIJUANA ZEBRA" does not come from a disadvantaged neighborhood, but he has been separated from his Mexican roots, and has defined himself only by the American white, middle-class culture in which he has been raised.
David Wendelman's first feature length screenplay "TIJUANA ZEBRA" won the Martha Munoz Award for Best Latino-themed Screenplay at the 2009 Latino Screenplay Competition. The Martha Munoz Award honors a screenplay that presents a unique portrayal of the Latino struggle.
This project is currently available for development and production.
If you are interested in reading a copy of the script, please contact:
David Wendelman
davidwendelman@aol.com
Only serious queries please.
