A Journey to Belonging: A Love Story of the Real American Dream

A Journey to Belonging: A Love Story of the Real American Dream

For kids growing up in other parts of the world in the 80’s and 90’s, America meant Times Square and Disneyland; Happy Meals and Coca-Cola; Freedom and Opportunity... the American Dream. But leaving everything behind to come to America as a grownup reveals that the reality is a bit more... complicated. 

The Project - Sunday Afternoon Forever (SAFE)

    Title:
    • Sunday Afternoon Forever (SAFE)
    Format:
    • 90-minute Feature
    Genre: 
    • Documentary Biopic
    Locations:
    • Austin, Texas
    • Rural Texas
    • Texas-Mexico Border Towns
    • Guatemala City, Antigua Guatemala
    • Los Angeles, California
    • New York City

    Logline - Sunday Afternoon Forever

    Same-sex marriage is not legal in their home country, so Hans and Luis leave everything behind for the US, where they manage to will a multimillion-dollar
    company into existence. Five years later, they find themselves again with nothing.

    They had to leave home once, and they refuse to do it twice. This time, they are ready to fight for it.

    Armed with the power that sharing their story holds and a clear purpose, they go on a journey to find the real meaning of the American Dream.

    Hans holds Luis on his back

    The Story - Luis and Hans

    About Luis and Hans: Luis and Hans are co-founders of The Sunday Afternoon Project, a nonprofit dedicated to creating belonging through shared stories. Born and raised in Guatemala, they met in 2016 and have been together ever since, marrying in 2018. They live in Austin with their four dogs, who are also Guatemalan immigrants.

    When Luis and Hans moved to Austin, Texas in 2019, they believed they had found paradise. The freedom to openly express their love and call each other "husband" in public felt like blessings from heaven. As the pandemic started, a celebrity tweet went viral and brought tremendous growth to the multimillion-dollar business they had built. They felt invincible.

    Busy Philipps Tweet Hi! This small business thought they were making 25K cookies for SXSW. Then SXSW was cancelled and they have 25 thousand cookies to unload! Let's all buy some! Because WHO DOESN'T LIKE COOKIES?!?

    However, they were soon faced with a level of homophobic vitriol they never expected to experience in America. The incident shattered their perception of the country and revealed its complexities. But instead of being defeated, Luis and Hans found a new purpose: to create a world of belonging by building safe spaces for people to share their own stories.

    Synopsis - Sunday Afternoon Forever

    Sunday Afternoon Forever follows the journey of Luis and Hans as they set out to discover the power of their own story. They embark on a quest to understand the meaning of family and the elusive nature of belonging. They come to realize that, despite its flaws, America can be a place where belonging is fostered.

    To achieve this, Luis and Hans travel across the country, searching for insights from people who have similar stories. They speak with impossibly successful entertainers, recent immigrants who have overcome great challenges, and individuals from all walks of life. Through their journey, they learn that sharing stories is crucial to creating a world where no one feels alone in carrying the burden of an unheard story.

    Appearances - Influential Voices

    Narrated by Busy Phillips

    Actress, author, talk-show host, producer, and activist Busy Phillips, known for her roles in popular shows such as "Dawson's Creek" and "Cougar Town," plays a small but pivotal part in Hans and Luis' story. Her inadvertent support helped their company go viral during the pandemic. Phillips' involvement aligns perfectly with the theme of fearless authenticity and adds credibility to their journey.
    Weiss, A. (Photographer). (2018). [Photograph of Busy Philipps at an event for Busy Tonight]. Getty Images. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005311/mediaviewer/rm4146706432/?ref_=nm_ov_ph
    Weiss, A. (Photographer). (2018). [Photograph of Busy Philipps at an event for Busy Tonight]. Getty Images. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005311/mediaviewer/rm4146706432/?ref_=nm_ov_ph
    Dan Reynolds Imagine Dragons' Frontman Dan Reynolds: The rockstar, activist, and founder of LoveLoud, Dan Reynolds brings a unique and inspiring perspective to the documentary. His involvement reflects a shared mission to build a more inclusive world, and his story contributes a powerful narrative on overcoming struggles and embracing authenticity.
    Gaby Moreno Gaby Moreno: Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and actress Gaby Moreno brings her soulful voice and passion to the documentary. With her musical journey and dedication to social impact, Moreno's inclusion enriches the narrative and enhances the overall theme of the documentary.
    Eugenio Derbez Eugenio Derbez: The trailblazing comedian, actor, and producer Eugenio Derbez adds a dynamic perspective to the film. His success and ability to transcend borders with his unique blend of humor and storytelling symbolize breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes.
    Emilio and Gloria Estefan Emilio and Gloria Estefan: Iconic figures in the world of music and culture, Emilio and Gloria Estefan bring their experience and resilience to the documentary. As immigrants who found success in the United States, their journey mirrors the struggles many face when pursuing dreams in a new land.
    Manny Marroquin Manny Marroquin: Grammy Award-winning sound engineer Manny Marroquin, known for his technical expertise and extensive collaborations with renowned artists, brings a unique perspective as an immigrant from Guatemala. His story intertwines the pursuit of dreams with resilience and underscores the intersection of culture and creativity.
    Founder and CEO, Duolingo Luis von Ahn Luis von Ahn: The visionary founder of Duolingo, Luis von Ahn's story reflects the fusion of technological innovation and cultural identity. As a proud representation of Latinx excellence in the tech industry, von Ahn's narrative inspires a new generation to dream beyond borders and leverage their skills to impact the world positively.
    Musician / Actress Ricardo and Adria Arjona

    Ricardo and Adria Arjona: Musician and actress Ricardo and Adria Arjona contribute a captivating intergenerational dynamic to the documentary. Their stories highlight the essence of overcoming obstacles and embracing authenticity.

     

     

    Why Now?

    Sunday Afternoon Forever is incredibly timely in an era of great division in America. By participating in the experiences of two outsiders looking in with fresh eyes, the documentary aims to bring people together to see America's greatness as the ultimate place of belonging. The film encourages viewers to share their own stories and create safe spaces for others to do the same.

    Sunday Afternoon Forever is a powerful documentary that explores the themes of love, longing, and belonging in the battle for the real American Dream. Through the journey of Luis and Hans, viewers are reminded of the power of storytelling and the importance of creating safe spaces for everyone to share their experiences. With the involvement of influential voices, the documentary highlights the diverse perspectives that contribute to a more inclusive world.

    "There are qualities in founders, difficult to find because they are rare, and even harder to teach: Passion, grit, flexibility, open mindedness, and mission driven. In Sunday Afternoon Project we have not just one founder, but two; establishing a certainty that this work will change the world."
    Paul_O_Brien_CEO_a_Mediatech_Ventures

    Paul O'Brien

    CEO a Mediatech Ventures Venturese

    "Luis and Hans have absolutely everything you want to see in entrepreneurs, drive, passion and persistence. We have no doubt they will continue to succeed and create safe spaces for us all."
    Tina_Cannon_President_and_CEO_Austin_LGBT_Chamber

    Tina Cannon

    President and CEO Austin LGBT Chamber

    "Luis and Hans are brilliant business founders who easily could have remained focused building their empire and making more and more money for themselves. That they have chosen to apply their keen entrepreneurial skills and rally their large, passionate networks to create safe and inclusive spaces for those in need of them (which is all of us!) is so very inspirational. I am excited to watch them change the world for the better, and I'm deeply honored to count them as friends!!"
    Afam_Onyema_CEO_and_Co-Founder_GEANCO_Foundatio

    Afam Onyema

    CEO and Co-Founder, GEANCO Foundation