Director Sergio Arau says studios are retreating amid Trump
era pressure
Sergio Arau stated that “not only is the immigration situation of Latin American workers at its worst; film studios are aligning themselves with Trump’s policies and have canceled many projects. We already had a contract to make the documentary series A Day Without Mexicans, but they canceled it.”
Sergio Arau directed the film A Day Without Mexicans (2004). The controversial film attracted attention for its subject matter and imaginative marketing campaign. That same year, it was the highest-grossing film in Mexico, and to date, it has sold more than 500,000 DVDs in the United States. It became a rallying cry for the 2006 Pro-Immigrant Movement, and with Trump’s second term, it regained prominence at many pro-immigrant events.
He mentioned: “In the Trump era, A Day Without Mexicans already seems like a documentary rather than fiction. As someone who translates the reality my fellow countrymen are experiencing, I have to be very clear so that the message is clear about what is happening, because here in Los Angeles the atmosphere is very grim, and what is clear is that the United States is a hellhole since they are not only attacking migrants but also white people. It’s the government against the people. I see it as awful.”
The Trump administration has attacked Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in Hollywood, leading studios like Disney and Amazon to reduce their commitments, while facing threats of federal investigations and a hostile political environment. This creates uncertainty and makes it difficult for minority filmmakers and branded projects focused on progressive values, in addition to proposals for tariffs on foreign films to boost local production.
Companies like Disney, Amazon, and Comcast have rolled back their diversity promises and programs, seeking to avoid the wrath of the new administration. The administration has launched a “war” against DEI programs, arguing that they violate civil rights laws and undermine national unity, creating a difficult environment for nonprofit organizations that promote diversity in film, such as Women in Film and Color of Change.
The attacks have created an atmosphere of “real-time destruction” for filmmakers of color and independent filmmakers, scaring off investors and making it difficult to fund diverse projects, according to IMDb and IndieWire.
