Border Hopper

Laura receives the opportunity of a lifetime: flying to Warsaw to direct a Super Bowl commercial! However, she’s in the middle of the green card process and can’t leave the country. Caught between the life she has built in the US with her husband and this once in a lifetime opportunity, she faces a difficult decision. With Border Hopper, director Nico Casavecchia creatively explores the immigration system through a fantastical lens, creating a situation that any immigrant can relate to.

“The situation was so surreal—with twists, turns, and jump scares”

It came as no surprise when Casavecchia confessed that the film is based on his own immigration story. Co-written with his wife Mercedes Arturo, as they waited for an emergency travel permit, he described the situation as “so surreal—with twists, turns, and jump scares—that we began taking notes for a potential script”. Lately, immigration narratives have become more common in filmmaking, but where Border Hopper feels new and different is of course in its supernatural, video game-inspired take and in the fact that it depicts a rather “privileged” immigration process, which many of us can identify with.

The frustration of dealing with bureaucracy is probably one of the most universal experiences there is, but when it threatens your life plans and prevents you from accessing opportunities, the stakes are undoubtedly raised. With its many steps, and different representatives, the process mirrors the structure of a video-game, complete with different levels and bosses. Casavecchia leans into this metaphor and brings it to the screen through animation. This approach grants the film an engaging tone and pace, while also creating a surreal atmosphere that conveys the absurdity of the task – how it can feel like an endless mission, jumping through all the hoops to eventually get that elusive letter from the immigration service. 

Animation combines with live-action in Border Hopper to make for an unforgettable viewing experience.

“We aimed to tell a story how, even at their most privileged, immigrants in the U.S. endure draconian bureaucracies just to exist”, Casavecchia added, embracing his protagonists’ situation and pairing it seamlessly with the playfulness of the animation. While tackling a serious topic, Border Hopper adds a fun genre twist, brought to life through Eloi Moli’s colorful cinematography and the anxiety-inducing pacing crafted by editor Lynn Hobson.

The playfulness of the film is further elevated by the actors’ take on the screenplay. S/W alum Gabriela Ortega (Huella) stars as Laura, alongside Santiago Reyes McAllister as her husband, Jorge. Their performances bring sharpness to the screenplay without ever being overly dramatic. Their scenes together exude a remarkable authenticity without having to resort to additional plot twists. The film’s strength is ultimately in how mundane their live-action scenes feel when contrasted to the animation sequences. Without relying on exposition, both actors effortlessly invite the audience to connect with their characters. Ortega is especially impressive in how she navigates the various tones and layers of the film, which is ultimately why this film is so effective. 

Border Hopper had its World Premiere at the 2024 edition of Sundance, and went on to play at multiple festivals including Aspen Shortsfest and the Palm Springs ShortFest, ahead of its online debut as a Vimeo Staff Pick. Casavecchia is currently developing Momoguro, a multi-platform franchise in partnership with the 9x Emmy-winning studio Baobab.