A Story That Demands Attention: The American Coyote Film Premiere
By Jules Aldaz
Photography by Bethany Castro
Red carpet correspondent Jules Aldaz speaks with The American Coyote writer, director, and actor Marcus Davila
The American Coyote premiered at City Base Cinemas, with filmmakers, actors, and community members in attendance for an evening focused on conversation and awareness.
Written by Marcus Davila, The American Coyote marks his first time stepping into the additional roles of director and lead actor. Davila portrays the titular coyote, a complicated figure in a story that follows Efrain, a young boy who flees to America after witnessing his father’s murder. While searching for safety, he’s taken hostage by a cartel and forced into a life he never chose. Shot largely in San Antonio and surrounding areas, the film allows audiences to see familiar places, and recognize that the story reflects real situations happening close to home.
On the red carpet however, the message was love and awareness; words that echoed as I spoke with each actor. A common refrain was the genuine respect and admiration expressed for Davila and the story he set out to tell. While talking to Davila, he shared his goal of consciously raising awareness about human trafficking in our community: he wants the public to know it’s everywhere, and that we need to educate each other on the importance of being aware.
At its core, the film is a labor of love, not because it was easy, but because it wasn’t. It doesn’t attempt to soften its message or offer simple answers. Instead, it asks viewers to sit with the reality of human trafficking, to understand how cycles of violence begin, and to recognize the human cost behind the headlines.
The American Coyote needed to be made. The love and respect for both the filmmaker and the project itself were unmistakable.
For updates on future premiere dates for The American Coyote, visit the film’s official Facebook page.
