ALL THE WORLD IS SLEEPING follows Chama (Melissa Barrera), who as a young girl in New Mexico, strived to be different from her mother. Now in her twenties, she’s found herself falling into a similar cycle of generational addiction. This struggle then threatens her balance as a mother to her own daughter. As Chama tries to keep it all together, a harrowing accident will spiral her out of control, causing her daughter to be taken from her custody. With nothing left, she’ll have to confront her past in order to fight for a future — one that can either guide her closer to getting her daughter back or lead her deeper into this dangerous cycle.

A TRULY UNIQUE FILMMAKING EXPERIENCE:

In 2017 a reproductive justice based non-profit, Bold Futures NM, gathered 7 system-impacted women with a history of substance use and pregnancy to create an artistic medium that would explore the complexities of trauma, substance use and parenting in New Mexico. Over the course of several months and hours of conversation and community building, the insight derived through this facilitated group process evolved into the foundation of an unlikely feature film highlighting characters with authenticity and heart.

This unique film was created with the aim of pushing back against the stigma faced by pregnant women and people living through addiction. ALL THE WORLD IS SLEEPINGsheds light on the realities of addiction, and the resources that are so desperately needed for families living in cycles of addiction.

This film centers the complex role of motherhood, addresses generational cycles of addiction and beautifully highlights a community that is not often represented in films. As a filmmaker whose own life has also been scarred by addiction, Ryan Lacen helped bring a unique cinematic lens while shaping these stories to create a film that would feel both singularly raw and universally connected.  

The film’s main character, Chama, played by the talented actress Melissa Barrera, is an imaginative composite of the seven Women that encompasses elements of their bravery and struggles all while exposing the arduous circumstances they have endured. Barrera, along with co-star Jackie Cruz, worked with the mothers on and off set to authentically capture and represent their truth.

Throughout production and post-production, the seven mothers remained an integral part of guiding the film to completion. This film is an extraordinary collaboration merging the worlds of non-profit grit and movie glamour all while working alongside a community eager to see their story represented on the big screen.

WHO IS BOLD FUTURES:

Bold Futures leads policy change, research, place-based organizing, and culture shift by and for women and people of color in New Mexico. Bold Futures centers the lived experiences and expertise of those most impacted by an issue, engaging with people at the intersection of their identities. We work to build communities where all have what we need to make real decisions about our own bodies and lives, and all have room to live with respect and dignity.

ALL THE WORLD IS SLEEPING has screened at the following film festivals: 

NY HBO Latino Film Festival – Winner of Best Film

Las Cruces International Film Festival – Winner of Best Film & Grand Jury Prize

Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival – Winner of Best Editing

Santa Fe Independent Film Festival – Winner of Best Film

Ojai International Film Festival – Honorable Mention Best Director

Seattle Latino Film Festival – Honorable Mention Best Film, Best Director

ALL THE WORLD IS SLEEPING was written and directed by Ryan Lacen (THE DUST STORM) and produced by Charlene Bencomo, Micaela Lara Cadena, Ian Simon, Sonja Mereu, Anthony Baldino, Esperanza Dodge, Denicia Cadena, and Tannia Esparza. It was produced and inspired by Jade Sanchez, Doralee Urban, Myra Salazar, Patricia Marez, Carly Hicks, Kayleigh Smith, and Malissa Trujillo. The film stars Melissa Barrera (IN THE HEIGHTS, SCREAM 6), Jackie Cruz (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK), Jorge Garcia (LOST), Kristen Gutoskie (THE HANDMAID’S TALE), Lisandra Tena (FEAR THE WALKING DEAD), Luis Bordonada (VIDA), Valentina Herrera (BLACK WIDOW), and Adilynn Marie Menendez (THE MEDIUM).

Gravitas Ventures will release ALL THE WORLD IS SLEEPING in theaters and on digital platforms on March 17, 2023. The film has a running time of 1 hr 50 min and will not be rated by the MPAA.