Disco de la Raza: A Chicano Story

Hola gente!

As you may or may not know I've been working on my debut feature documentary for the past couple of months. We've shot 80% of our interviews and now need your help to get this material off the ground! My goal is to create a skeleton edit with the current footage and create a 10-15 minute video to pitch to producers and investors to attract further financing.

About the project...

Disco de la Raza: A Chicano Story explores the queer subculture within the Mexican American community in 1970s Los Angeles.

The inspiration for the documentary derives from my mother's story as a teenager growing up in Boyle Heights with her gay brother, strong mother, and a conservative LAPD officer father. Like many kids raised in the barrio, she and her brother dreamed of “making it” in America. Disco culture allowed them to escape East LA and bring their glamorous fantasies to the dance floors of Hollywood. It was a safe haven to showcase their talents in fashion and dance and in doing so they found community and created a culture of equity and inclusivity. This is a love letter to my mother, my ancestors, my city, and all the trailblazers who paved the path for my existence.

For those who don't know me...

My name is Paloma Esparza Rabinov and I am a fourth-generation Angeleno of Mexican and Jewish descent. I am an actor, director, and restaurant owner and my most recent work can be seen on Apple TV’s hit series Physical Season 3 opposite Rose Byrne. My face can also be seen on Lincoln Lawyer (Netflix), The Politician (Netflix), Mr. Mayor (NBC), WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story (Emmy Nominated), and Birds of Prey (DC Comics). I'm focused on paving the way for women of diverse backgrounds to pursue their artistic and entrepreneurial goals. Through my work I hope to redefine the image of a leading woman.

The Team:

Editor: Jeremy Cohan

Jeremy Cohan is a documentary, TV and commercial director residing between Los Angeles and New York. He has work streaming on platforms like Disney+, Netflix & VICE. Jeremy’s worked for companies like VOX, @Radical.Media and McCann and for brands such as Converse, Canon and Spotify. He also won a DGA award for his first short film. In a past life he was an editor for popular shows like HBO’s High Maintenance as well as documentary features and commercials.

Cinematographer: Adrian Hernandez

Adrian is an LA-Based Filmmaker with a degree in Film and TV Production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts with an emphasis in directing and cinematography. He has directed or shot video projects for clients such as PBS Frontline, Fox Sports West, The Los Angeles History Museum, LAFC, and LA Metro. He has served as a cinematographer for six independent feature films, as well as dozens of music videos, short films, television episodes, and promotional videos. His personal work focuses on outcasts and the systems that alienate them.

Sizzle Edited by: Mikey Parzynski (Paradise Creative LA) and Abbey Letizia

Fundraising goal: $35,000

All your donations are tax deductible thanks to our fiscal sponsors From the Heart Productions.

* No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to the GoFundMe.