Paloma Negra Boards Michael Rowe's Cross-Border Drama 'Last Weekend'

Michael Rowe's "Last Weekend," a cross-border child custody drama shot in Southern California and Mexico, wrapped filming on Oct. 15 — and Mexico's Paloma Negra has now boarded the project as it enters post-production.

Rowe, a Mexico City-based Australian filmmaker, won the Camera d'Or at Cannes for best first feature with "Leap Year," which Variety described as a "raunchy and acutely minimalist study of urban alienation, romantic longing and bedroom practices no one should try at home." His later features "The Well" (2013) played Korea's Jeonju Festival, and "Early Winter" (2015) competed at Venice Days.

Who is behind the film?

Paloma Negra ranks among Mexico's most prominent production companies. Producer Cristina Velasco founded it with directors Rigoberto Perezcano ("Carmin Tropical") and Jorge Hernandez Aldana ("The Night Buffalo").

"This project resonated deeply with me, as I'm from Tijuana and have a firsthand understanding of the issues the film explores," Velasco said. She announced the deal while attending the Morelia Film Festival, where Paloma Negra's latest production, Carlos Reygadas' "Heil Jupiter," premieres Oct. 19.

What is the story about?

The drama follows Adrian, an undocumented Mexican migrant worker in San Diego, reunited with his six-year-old daughter after a year-long custody battle. He struggles to rebuild their bond and reconnect her with her cultural roots while a government criminalizes and persecutes undocumented migrants.

"I think it's a very moving story. I cried a lot during the shoot, so it worked on me anyway. There are some strong moments," Rowe told Variety. He also wrote the screenplay.

The cast of Mexican actors is led by Fernando Cuatle ("Heroic") as the father, opposite newcomer Rose Peraza Benítez. Alejandra Cosío ("La casa azul") and Víctor Oliveira ("Hernan") round out the ensemble.

How did they shoot it?

Interiors were filmed on a Mexico City soundstage, but exteriors were shot where migrant workers actually live — above all in San Ysidro and Barrio Logan, two suburbs south of San Diego.

The timing was loaded. The shoot coincided with the height of ICE raids in the U.S., and the production had to tread carefully despite holding permits. "We had a great deal of support from the migrant community through several local organizations in San Ysidro who were very supportive in every single way imaginable," Rowe said.

Rowe ran a very small crew on a tight schedule. The entire production wrapped in just 17 days. "I'm very grateful to the whole crew and the actors who went into it knowing that these were the conditions and who gave everything to make it into the film that it is going to be, I hope," he said.

Rowe and Mariana Castro produce. Castro's credits include Valentina Leduc's "The Dreams We Share" and Juan Carlos Rulfo's "Binniza, the Beings of the Cloud."

What does this change for the film?

Editing has just begun, and financing isn't finished. "We're still hoping to find more producing partners to help cover post-production costs," Rowe said. Paloma Negra's involvement gives the project a proven Mexican production house behind it — and with Morelia underway, the company has a festival platform to build momentum toward completion and, eventually, a premiere.