This video serves as a poignant reflection of the current state of my country, Venezuela, which has undergone significant changes from a once-free and prosperous nation to one in decay and longing for its former glory.
The response to the video has been truly unexpected, evoking emotional reactions from Venezuelans who have expressed how it moved them to tears and stirred feelings of melancholy.

Written & Directed by: Joaquin Salim
Edited by: José Ostos
Cinematography by: Edwin Corona R.
Produced by: Capitolio
Post-Production: Caffeine Post

Despite the budget limitations, which amounted to approximately $800, I was able to create this video by leveraging the talent and dedication of respected cinematographers in both Venezuela and Mexico City. They graciously donated their time to bring this project to life.

The production process itself was an adventure, taking place in Caracas. It involved navigating through the challenges of engaging in some unconventional methods, such as flying drones illegally and negotiating with local gangs to gain access to one of Latin America's most notorious cemeteries.

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To capture the essence of a bygone era in Caracas, we incorporated borrowed footage, paying homage to the golden era of the city in the 1960s and 1950s when Dior opened its first boutique outside of France. The footage was carefully processed, printed on paper, and then scanned at 12 frames per second to achieve a timeless newspaper halftone effect.

This project holds great personal significance to me, as it represents the emotions of an immigrant who gazes back at their homeland with a mixture of anguish and the realization that returning is not a viable option on the horizon.

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