WILBRAHAM — “Migrant workers do what no one else wants to do in this country. Now, it’s my turn to live the American dream.”
So begins the trailer of a new feature film, “Clika,” heading to theaters nationwide Jan. 23.
The film is a “rags to riches” story, according to co-writer and co-producer Sean McBride, a Wilbraham native. Small town musician Chito, a Mexican American migrant who works in fields picking fruit, has a chance to make it big when a video clip of him performing one of his songs goes viral.
“We wanted to show an artist go from the streets to just making it, you know, having that moment of ‘We’re gonna lose our house’ to ‘You just bought your mom her dream house,’” McBride said in a recent interview with The Republican.
“Clika,” a new feature film, is co-written and co-produced by Sean McBride, a Wilbraham native. The film — a “rags to riches” story — is heading to theaters nationwide Jan. 23. (Rancho Humilde)Rancho Humilde
“Clika” is the debut film from music producer Jimmy Humilde’s production company, Rancho Humilde, which has previously elevated Mexican music artists such as Fuerza Regida and Natanael Cano.
“Growing up in Los Angeles, (Humilde) recognized that anytime he’d go to any event, it was always Latinos, mostly Mexicans that were there supporting it, but they had no stars,” McBride said. “His thoughts were that the Latino music industry was really dominated by Puerto Ricans and Cubans, but there were no Mexicans.”
Seeing a lack of Mexican representation in the movie industry, Humilde’s company has set its sights on making films, with “Clika” being the first.
Wilbraham native Sean McBride is pictured on the set of “CLIKA,” a new movie being released in theaters nationwide on Jan. 23. (Photo courtesy Sean McBride)Photo courtesy Sean McBride
McBride and his writing partner, Michael Greene, worked closely with Humilde in the creative process, making sure that “Clika” stayed authentic to Mexican culture.
“Michael and I were just very lucky to be able to have access to all of the Rancho tools and the people,” McBride said. “For the first time in our careers, we got to work with all the toys that we’ve always wanted. And we were able to tell a great story with all of them.”
A behind-the-scenes shot of the film “CLIKA” being produced. (Photo courtesy Sean McBride)Photo courtesy Sean McBride
McBride grew up in Wilbraham and is a graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School. He said one of his earliest memories is being a student at Mile Tree Elementary School in Wilbraham, learning about how America was a “melting pot” of different cultures.
“We’ve gotten so far away from that, and my hope is that people see the perspective of somebody working their way out of the fields,” McBride said of “Clika.” “We see the journey of one guy, who’s one in a million, that gets plucked out of the fields, but the rest of the people still have to stay there and work their butts off. So, to assume that these people aren’t contributing to the American way is insane to me.”
Wilbraham native Sean McBride, left, and co-writer Michael Greene. (Provided photo)Provided photo
“Clika” is led by Jay Dee — who is also the film’s executive producer — as Chito. He is joined by Nana Ponceleon, Josh Benitez, Eric Roberts, Master P, Alison Chace, Bourke Floyd, Cory Aycock, Cristian E. Gutierrez, and the late Peter Greene, among others.
For more information about the film and showtimes, go online to clika.movie.
Wilbraham native Sean McBride, from left, the late actor Peter Greene, and co-writer Michael Greene. (Provided photo)Provided photo