J.C. came to America when he was just a child. Now, as an adult, he’s undocumented but has managed to persevere and prosper working as a rodeo clown. However, after a series of unfortunate events, J.C. finds himself down on his luck and in search of new happiness. He eventually finds it near the Mexican border but the price he pays could get him kicked out of the only country he knows. This film is about “kindness”.
Pat Battistini, writer/director/editor, is a native of Merrillville, Indiana (thus HoosierDaddyFilms). “I made this film because of the temperament and feelings toward immigration that have been fermenting in the country these past few years. Though the tale is fictitious, I hope to give the audience more to think about in regards to DACA and the people affected by it. Like any artist, I hope I can generate, through my writing and filmmaking, some sort of emotion about the people affected by the recent set-backs.”
Pat began his career as an actor at the Player’s Workshop of the Second City in Chicago. He continued working in improvisation and eventually performed in over 500 improv shows. Now in LA, he has written and produced eleven short films. Meet Pat on Opening Night at the Immigration Film Fest 2019.
Tin Can’s recent awards include:
Best U.S. Short Film – Laughlin Film Festival
Best Dramatic Short Film – Chicago Reel International Film Festival
Best of the Fest – EyeCatcher International Film Festival
Audience Choice Award – Skyline Indie Film Festival
Audience Choice Award – Shortz! Film Festival
Audience Choice Award – The Valley Film Festival
Audience Choice Award – Borrego Springs Film Festival
Humanitarian Statement of the Year – Galveston Island Film Festival
Best Humanistic Short – Seal Beach Film Festival
Best English Language Short Film – Cleveland United Latino Film Festival
Best Social Justice Statement of the Year – Action on Film Festival
The Ginny Award – Twin Falls Sandwiches Film Festival
Tin Can is featured in The Southern Border Shorts on Opening Night of the 2019 Immigration Film Fest, September 13th. Tickets are available now.
Interesting note: Carlos Ragas plays J.C./Lucky the Clown is also Tin Can’s producer, stuntman and a bona fide Ringling Brother Circus clown. He and Pat met performing at Club Med decades ago.