by Rosa Parra

TheyDream, directed by William David Caballero, is a documentary that explores 20 years of the director’s life, focusing on his Puerto Rican family and the profound losses experienced by his mother and himself. Through moments of tears and laughter, they create animations to bring their loved ones back to life, illustrating that every act of creation also involves letting go.

This documentary stands out as one of the most experimental and creative films I have ever seen. William has crafted an extraordinary piece with incredible attention to detail and craftsmanship that is visually striking. It’s breathtaking and captivating to observe the miniature sets and figurines that recreate his childhood home, memories of conversations, visits to the doctor’s office, and even entire towns. Additionally, using stop-motion animation, he has transformed old home videos and recorded conversations into animated sequences. Witnessing how he accomplished this is truly extraordinary. The film also emphasizes the well-known phrase “walk a mile in my shoes” quite literally, as both William and his mother use stop-motion animation to bring their father and mother to life, respectively.

Milly, William’s mother, embodies the qualities Wonder Woman aspires to have. She is the core, foundation, and heartbeat of this documentary. Before her family members passed away from illness and aging, she was their sole caregiver. Milly was raising her only child while caring for her failing husband and aging mother.

There are a few scenes near the end of the documentary that genuinely moved me to tears. I was a complete emotional wreck. This story resonated with me not only because of its Latino heritage, but also because I am an only child who, for a few years, cared for my ill mother while raising my own children. I strongly relate to both William and Milly.

The film’s synopsis mentions a comment from a professor who told William that no one would want to watch a movie about his family. To that professor, I say you were definitely mistaken. And to William, thank you for ignoring that advice and following your instincts. This film is not just about a Puerto Rican family; it’s an inspiring story that reminds us that regardless of heritage or ethnicity, we are all human. We grieve, we feel, and we have a purpose. The film’s goal is to remind us of these shared human experiences.

Overall, TheyDream is a compelling documentary that explores themes of family, legacy, dreams, and creativity through a distinctive voice worth experiencing. An unforgettable film.

Rating: 8/10