Javier Chapa and Simon Wise of Mucho Mas Media (Mucho Mas) have optioned the rights and will be partnering as producers with Sergio Arau and Yareli Arizmendi on the independent feature film, “Another Day Without a Mexican: This Time It’s Personal,” the sequel to Arau’s cult hit and 2004 social satire, “A Day Without a Mexican,” the company announced on Friday.
Arau will direct and co-write the script with writer/actress Yareli Arizmendi, who wrote and starred in the 2004 film.
Joshua Maurer (“The Hoax,” “Papillon”) and Alixandre Witlin (“Georgia O’Keeffe,” “Howard’s End”) will produce under their City Entertainment banner, alongside Mucho Mas partners Chapa and Wise.
In 2004, the dark comedy — which takes a critical look at life in California without Mexicans in all facets of employment — was defined a global success, grossing over $13 million worldwide at the box-office. The film imagined what life would be like if all Mexicans in the state — roughly a third of the population — inexplicably disappeared. Using the socio-political climate as a backdrop to the storyline’s deep and sardonic humor, “Another Day Without a Mexican” will examine the ever-serious topic of immigration and reform in a paradoxical and comedic vein.
“The timing and climate for a revisit of the feature film ‘A Day Without a Mexican’ comes appropriately. Sergio and Yareli represent a unique Latinx comedic voice in America today and their ability to tell this story in their voices is more relevant than ever before,” said partners Chapa and Wise.
“Sometimes dark humor is the only way to tell the real story,” added Arau. “What we imagined 15 years ago has now become reality. We again intend to use the absurdity of the current climate to offer a deeper insight into the consequences and further the premise of the original film. Banking on the power of satire, ‘Another Day Without a Mexican’ is sure to be a very serious comedy; an indie film that we believe will have both a broad and timely appeal.”
Arau and Arizmendi are both represented by DePaz Management.