Logline:

When two Sicarios in Medellín Colombia are sent on a routine mission to kidnap and torture a business man. One of them named Max is confronted with his internal demons and the existence of GOD.

Synopsis:

Two Sicarios. Max 20 a white latino slim kid from Medellin Colombia and Crazy face a 27 year old tall dark skinned man are sent on a mission to kidnap and torture a businessman. As the begin to observe him leaving his Job. Max begins to have these weird coincidences with street advertisements that promote “Are you living in Hell”? Max gets very uncomfortable with the message but focuses on the mission at hand. When Max kidnaps the business man he discovers the business man has taken a photo of his graffiti with his daughter in front of it. This causes discomfort in Max and he begins to question this with his partner Crazy Face. Crazy Face dismisses his concern with the photo and is focused on the mission to torture the business man. When Crazy face leaves for Lunch and leaves Max and the business man alone. Max decides to confront the business man about the Photo?

This causes Max to question his life as a Sicario? His belief in GOD and his talent as a graffiti artist. The business man realizes this and begins to taunt and challenge Max. Crazyface returns with lunch and they all decide to watch a soccer game while they wait for the bosses phone call. When the Boss calls and gives an order to Max. We can’t tell what the Boss says? Until “SURPRISE” max makes one final attempt to suffocate and murder the business man but he cant go threw with it. Crazy Face takes advantage of the situation and murders the business man.

This causes Max to react and confront Crazy Face. As Max arrives home we notice Max has a spiritual confrontation with the murdered business man.

Director Statement:

I always believe I don’t look for stories they find me. When I visited Medellín Colombia in 2018. I did the Graffiti tour in “La Comuna 13”. My two tour guides were named Max and Crazy face. They shared the history of Comuna 13 and how graffiti brought positive change and impacted the community in a very positive way despite it’s violent history. They shared there life story with me and that’s when ( UMBRAL ) came to life. I have always been attracted to character study films. I wanted to examine the inner struggles and psychological pain of young Sicarios in Medellín Colombia. These kids are recruited at a very young age to become assassins in order to survive. I decided to do extensive research on young Sicarios and read many articles and interviews. Based on all that I came up with the story “ UMBRAL”. My co writer Fransisco Ordoñez started to help me flesh the story out into a solid structure. It took me several years to lock script and produce it because I had a specific vision and I really wanted to capture the reality and rawness in the performances, location and casting . I definitely feel like I accomplished my vision and brought it to life with the help of my mentor and great editor Moon Molson.

Director Bio:

Born and raised in Queens N.Y. Rolando Sanchez received his Associates Degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technology from Alfred State College. Upon graduating from the University he joined the United States Navy for 6 years. During his time in the service he began filming documentaries of the soldiers in the Persian Gulf.

After his tour of duty in the Navy he then attended the school of visual arts ( SVA ) continuing education program in NYC NY.

This is where his film education took flight. Upon completing various courses in film production, cinematography and screenwriting.

He then decided to learn the craft of “Directing the actor” with Professor Lenore DeKoven from Columbia University’s M.F.A Film Program. He studied with Lenore for 7 years. Which lead to his invitation to the highly regarded school “The Actor’s Studio” for which Rolando is part of the Playwrights and Director group.

Rolando Sanchez moved to Medellín Colombia in 2018 and has since written and Directed “UMBRAL’ his new short film in 2025. He is also presently writing two feature films which are in Pre Production.