The Middle speaks to the misfits—the ones who feel unseen and misunderstood, especially in small towns across the U.S. Southwest. This film will resonate with anyone who has ever felt caught between different parts of themselves, particularly American Latinos who rarely see their full complexity reflected on screen. I aim to highlight this High Desert community with care, empathy, and authenticity, showcasing awkward moments, struggles, and triumphs.

Growing up in Barstow, CA, I constantly found myself “in the middle”—whether it was navigating my mixed roots, my family, or my friend groups. The Middle reflects that personal experience, as well as the moral dilemmas that come with it. As a teenager, there’s often no clear right or wrong; it all depends on your point of view. This film dives into the complexities of morality, loyalty, and self-preservation, using a young woman’s perspective to explore what it means to make difficult choices in an already confusing time of life.

In today’s world, where our moral compasses feel more divided than ever, The Middle offers a story that embraces these gray areas with empathy. Through Joanna’s journey, we see how pressures from society, friends, and family shape her decisions—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. Her desert town, both beautiful and dysfunctional, plays a crucial role in shaping her life and the lives of those around her.

This film is an invitation to step into the shoes of those who feel stuck between worlds and to understand that, in many ways, we are all just trying to find our way through the middle. By telling this story, I hope to spark reflection on the choices we make and the blurred lines between right and wrong.