We Are Lions (Somos Leones)

"Someone has kidnapped your father."

This is something I never imagined hearing. What was even more horrifying is that we paid a ransom to men who live 30 miles from our home in Denver, Colorado, when my dad was being held captive 2,500 miles away in Guatemala.

U.S. embassies couldn't help.

The police in Colorado refused to help and dismissed us as being "associated" with narcos. The discrimination and lack of help from any US law enforcement agencies during this period were shocking!

My family had to figure this out on our own. We raised $20,000 amongst family and thankfully; they released my father.

Our family put those very intense 48hrs behind us when we were all reunited after the incident. What I did not know is that this would just be the beginning of an incredibly dangerous journey spanning many years. An arrest in Guatemala of the kidnapper ignited my father and me to get justice on US soil for the men who received the ransom money in Denver. While in pursuit of justice, our expedition took us in and out of FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security offices. Our private investigation led us to the Texas/Mexico border, seeking answers. Then we had no choice but to return to the scene of the crime in Guatemala.

I cannot tell you how insane and risky this trip was, but I can show you!

We captured hundreds of hours of footage and I aspire to create a true-crime documentary that can be on a big streaming platform like Netflix, HBO, Amazon, etc. I have spoken to a few film consultants that have said we are going to need a lot of money to take this to mainstream levels. Our first stage of fundraising will require $25,000. This will cover the expenses to hire full-time dedicated editors to get us as close to the finish line as possible.

Future expenses will require legal counseling, animation, music licensing, festival fees, distribution, etc.

This sounds like tons of money, but the top-tier Netflix documentaries you watch at home cost hundredths of thousands of dollars! Unfortunately, we started 20k in the hole from the ransom payment! We have since made many financial sacrifices in pursuing justice, medical bills, and documenting all those hundreds of hours of footage.

I wouldn’t have taken a stand if I didn’t think this story was worth spreading. I’m not just telling a story about someone that I care about, but a crime took place in our Colorado community, and the police did nothing about it. The lack of help from any institution was the major motivation for making this film. We may not get justice anymore, but we at least want to show you the adventure that we went on, and how we navigated corrupt and failed institutions on both sides of the border.

Our film project will follow Elvis Leon, as he tries to reconnect with his father, Orlando, who returns from his kidnapping with a martyr-like drive to seek justice through legal means, and when that fails, nothing will stop him from getting revenge. Formerly diagnosed with PTSD because of his war experience, Elvis notices his father is dealing with the same symptoms that he once struggled with and he must now help him. This story focuses on the relationship between a father and son, the closure of a traumatic event, and the struggle to survive their trip back to Guatemala.

THANK YOU for reading and watching the video. If you have questions or would like to get involved, please reach out.

Much love,

Elvis Leon