New Media Rights is proud to have worked on Desert Angel, a documentary film by Vincent DeLuca. The film tells the inspiring, heartbreaking, and human stories of migrants and aid workers that are the reality of immigration at our southern border. Desert Angel has been accepted to and won awards at numerous film festivals.
Forty years ago, Rafael Larraenza risked everything to cross from Mexico to the US. After building a successful career, a twist of fate drew him back to the border. For 25 years, Rafael has tirelessly searched deserts and mountains to rescue lost immigrants and recover remains, becoming a hero in Latin American communities.
Despite needing a double hip replacement, Rafael continues his mission, knowing every moment counts for those lost at the border. When Indira, a mother from El Salvador, asks for help finding her son Rodrigo, Rafael risks his life again, driven on by sheer determination, even as the years and terrain take their toll.
Documentaries often need a variety of legal services, from hiring a crew, to assessing copyright, fair use and licensing issues, to distribution agreements. New Media Rights works with a variety of documentary and fictional video creators to overcome the legal hurdles to make their productions a reality.
“While finishing Desert Angel, the guidance I received from New Media Rights was absolutely invaluable. Their deep expertise in media law and documentary filmmaking helped me navigate important legal issues with confidence. They approached the project with incredible dedication, care and thoroughness, making sure we could tell Rafael's life story, and explaining the process in a way that I could understand. The process took place over many months and the NMR team stayed committed to the film throughout. What impressed me most was their genuine commitment to helping independent filmmakers tell important stories. Because of their dedication and support, we are able to bring the story of Rafael and Los Ángeles del Desierto to people who might otherwise not know of these life-saving heroes. I'm truly grateful for the time and effort that the NMR team put into the film. Thank you NMR!” Vincent DeLuca, Director
Art Neill, Clinical Professor of Law and Executive Director of California Western School of Law’s New Media Rights clinic, said that “it’s an honor to help ensure stories like Desert Angel get told. Policies and political rhetoric are often far removed from the realities of our border region. Desert Angel contributes essential and authentic human stories to our civic discourse on immigration.”
Jaylene Potter, a California Western and New Media Rights fellow, said "I really enjoyed working with a documentary filmmaker. I not only learned more about copyright in the film industry but also had the chance to help educate the filmmaker too. Hearing about the creative inspirations behind the project made the work especially meaningful, and it was incredibly rewarding to help our client confidently share his film while collaborating throughout the process."
Thank you to New Media Rights students Jaylene Potter and Adriana Ninci for their work on this film.
This testimonial does not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
To learn more about the film, you can visit the Desert Angel website.
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