Graphic courtesy of pasar página / Photo by Neidy Gutierrez / SOC Images.
Hudson County has seen a seismic shift over the last decade, and for many who are natives of the county, it can be hard to grasp.
“Pasar página” is a Hudson County-based short film that aims to explore this life experience through the story of two ex-loves, Amelia and Cole, who reminisce on their past as they look towards their futures.
“‘Pasar página’ is the product of all of my pain, all of my wishes for the world to wait for me. Where I come from, the streets change every single day,” wrote Director Aileen Pujols, a West New York native, in a statement. “I saw how drastic these changes were when I went off to college. Every break it felt like I was coming home to a new town, one that was leaving me behind. I didn’t realize that I was changing along with it.”
“I also experienced a lot of heartbreak, and found myself longing for some kind of constant in my life. Writing quickly became that for me. Things like coffee shops and yoga studios; hairstyles and fashion choices came and went. But, at the end of the day, I always had my writing. I learned how to write about girlhood, growing up, and love through an unapologetically Latinx lens.”
“Pasar página,” which means “to turn a page,” will mainly take place in Parker Cafe, a local spot in West New York, which is Pujols’ hometown. The crew told Slice of Culture that Pujols “wants to spotlight West New York and local businesses in the film.”
West New York (WNY) is one of the many Hudson County towns that have been experiencing the effects of gentrification, homelessness and rent increases over the last few years. “Pasar página” has been described to be a “story of change,” symbolizing the parallel to WNY’s reality.
The creative team recently launched their GoFundMe and is asking for any donations to help bring the story to life. All funds will help cover: cast and crew, props, wardrobe, locations, production and post-production equipment plus film festival submissions, according to their campaign.
At the time of this writing, the team of “pasar página” includes:
- Writer/director – Aileen Pujols
- Lead editor/producer – Nat Kapustin
- Assistant director – Ashley Morales
- Director of photography – Faith Robinson-Hughes
- Producer – Emily O’Connor
- Costume designer – Katie Aleman
- Amelia – Kelly Menjivar
The short film has currently raised $790 out of their $1,600 goal.
Soon, there will be an announcement with La Bodega, a Dominican-owned restaurant in the Jersey City Heights and the crew will be sharing behind-the-scenes content and updates through their GoFundMe and Instagram to capture their independent filmmaking journey.
“One of the major themes of ‘pasar página’ is change,” Pujols wrote.
“West New York has changed and continues to change every single day gentrification is running rampant, and having this film set in my hometown is preserving a part of it and keeping the West New York of my childhood safe.”
