Roadside Attractions revealed the trailer for ‘City of Dreams’, a film inspired by true events telling a story about the reality of child trafficking. ‘City of Dreams’ is the feature film directorial debut of writer/director Mohit Ramchandani. Serving as executive producers are Mexican director Luis Mandoki and Yalitza Aparicio., Oscar nominated actress of ‘Roma.’

Starring the film are Jason Patric, Alfredo Castro, Ari Lopez, Samm Levine, Paulina Gaitan, Francisco Denis, and Diego Calva.

The film had its premiere last year at the Mammoth Film Festival under the title ‘Dreamers’.

Release Date

Directed by Mohit Ramchandani, ‘City of Dreams’ opens in theaters on August 30, 2024.

Synopsis

Inspired by true events, City of Dreams follows Jesús, a young Mexican boy whose dreams of becoming a soccer star are shattered when he’s trafficked across the border and sold to a sweatshop making fast fashion in downtown Los Angeles. Thrust into a world of exploitation and despair; he’s forced to adhere to the grueling work schedule dictated by El Jefe, a boss who promises freedom for those who complete their quotas. Despite Jesus’s hellish existence, he finds solace in Elena, a girl who was similarly betrayed and sold into slavery. When she goes missing and another co-worker Carlito’s is severely beaten, Jesus realizes that his only hope for freedom is to make a daring escape.

Director Mohit Ramchandani notes that “City of Dreams has no political bias or agenda. It merely shows you, from the point of view of a young boy what it would be like to have your dreams stolen and replaced with the hellish nightmare of slavery. His story is only one of over 2.8 million undocumented migrants that crossed the border in 2023 and whose forced labor is an unforgiveable stain on countless corporate products.”

Reviews

Peter Gray of The AU Review praised the film’s disturbing presentation, giving it a score of 3.5/5 score, writing “To call the film ugly isn’t a criticism.  And Dreamer (Previous title of ‘City of Dreams’) needs to be a mostly unpleasant experience for it to be as effective as it is.  What the film puts Jesús through is horrific and humiliating (if you take any issue with violence inflicted upon children then this will not be a remotely easy watch), and there are times when you have to wonder how much as an audience member you can take, but the sheer tenacity of the character – and López’s stunning, committed turn – paves the way for its eventual culmination”

Official Trailer

Watch the official trailer for ‘City of Dreams’.