Lucha and the Ekeko

Cool Breeze Communications
This narrative short uses animation and storytelling to draw attention to the personal impacts of deportation, humanizing a topic that is often politicized.

Cool Breeze Communications reached out seeking to create a powerful narrative animation that would shed light on the deeply personal effects of deportation, an often politicized process. It also aims to support the concept of adoption as well. The goal was to tell a story that humanized these experiences, making them relatable and emotionally resonant for audiences while steering clear of overt political messaging. Through the story of “Lucha and the Ekeko,” we brought to life a tale that explored identity, family, and resilience.

Creative Solution

An experienced screenwriter, our client reached out with the script already written wanting a collaborative team to help develop the animation.

Storyline: “Lucha and the Ekeko” follows the journey of Elena, a glamorous singer in the public eye, who initially sets out to adopt a child as a publicity stunt. However, the story takes an unexpected turn when the adopted child requests a trip to Peru. Unbeknownst to Lucha, the child has an ulterior motive: she plans to secretly journey to Bolivia to find her mother, from whom she was separated during an attempt to cross the Texas border. This emotional quest unfolds against the backdrop of cultural heritage, loss, and the longing for connection. 

We see years later how this experience shapes her values and views and leads her to adopt a child of her own named Marisol.

Execution

To ensure that this complex and emotional story was delivered with authenticity and impact, we approached the project with the following strategies:

  1. Visual Design:
    • Designed a vibrant and culturally rich visual palette inspired by the landscapes and traditions of Peru and Bolivia, blending realism with artistic abstraction.
    • Incorporated personalized elements such as the Ekeko (a traditional Andean figure representing abundance and hope), to symbolize the themes of resilience and reunion.
  2. Character Development:
    • Developed multidimensional characters, from Lucha’s glamorous yet flawed persona to Lucha’s strength and determination.
    • Carefully crafted interactions that balanced the tension of the storyline with moments of warmth and hope.
  3. Original Score:
    • Composed an original score that fused traditional Andean music with contemporary cinematic elements, enhancing the emotional depth of the story.
    • The score played a pivotal role in transitioning between moments of tension, revelation, and resolution.
  4. Narrative Structure:
    • Carefully balanced the story’s exploration of sensitive topics with moments of levity and hope, ensuring it resonated with audiences of diverse backgrounds.

This narrative short was designed to spark meaningful conversations around deportation, adoption, and family dynamics, presenting these issues through a deeply personal lens. We’re happy to have helped strengthen our client’s mission to humanize politically charged topics through the power of storytelling.

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