Cagers

About the Project

Cagers follows Benigno, a newcomer to the U.S. who just wants to play basketball on the local court, but nothing is simple when the court is run by the 22nd Street Inmates gang. The film is about belonging, territory, and the risks of trying to fit in when everything around you feels unfamiliar.

The idea for Cagers comes from my own experience as a Mexican American, I was born in the U.S. and raised in Mexico, and when I returned for high school, my English was shaky and I didn’t quite feel at home. Basketball became my way in helping me make friends and feel like I belonged. But Cagers isn’t necessarily 100% realism; the film has its own crazy style, taking real emotions and pushing them into a more stylized, high-energy world with a group of friends who didn't dare to cross to that court before.

I co-wrote the film with my friend Britta Lundin during film school and we wanted capture both the intensity and the fun of the game. When it came to casting, I needed someone who could really play and speak Spanish fluently but after a long search I ended up stepping into the role myself while also directing. We shot Cagers in Austin, Texas with a diverse, energetic team.

Along with writing, directing, and starring, I also handled all post-production work, including editing and color. For me, Cagers is both an ode to the game and a reflection on what it means to find your place when you’re caught between worlds, but all through a lens that’s more wild and playful than strictly authentic.