Great news!

Our documentary now has fiscal sponsorship by The International Documentary Association (IDA). After submitting a proposal to them for review they have deemed this documentary to be worthy of fiscal sponsorship by them.

We are very excited and know that this will open many doors for us and help us to get this documentary done.

Click here for more information.

- Robert

After 53 Years, Kolender Steps Down

San Diego Sheriff Bill Kolender, who was the San Diego Chief of Police during the events of this documentary, is retiring. Sheriff Kolender was instrumental in approving the task force and eventually disbanding it due to safety concerns for the officers.

Click here to read the actual article.

Manny Lopez Radio Interview

Here is some more media this week from Manny. He did a radio interview on a local San Diego internet radio station. The web site is www.artrocks.ws. You can listen to the interview on their web site or click on the play button below.

Manny talks about being a police officer and about the Border Crime Task Force. The documentary is also mentioned.

- Robert

San Diego Magazine Press!

Here's some cool news! An article on Manny Lopez came out in the March 2009 edition of San Diego Magazine. We get a little more history on Manny and the documentary is also mentioned.

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE.

- Robert

"Lines & Shadows," in Spanish

My late grandfather was a prolific reader. Prior to him passing away (over 15 years ago) I visited him in Mexico one day and we started talking about recent books we were reading. To my amazement he started talking about "Lines and Shadows," which I was reading at the same time. It was a total coincidence.

He stated how important the story was and how the border problems had no easy solution. After I started this documentary I searched for his copy of the book but it looked like it was lost - until by accident my grandmother found it and sent it to me. Here you can see the cover.

On the last page of the book it states this is one copy of only 30,000 copies that were printed. A collectors item in my opinion : )

The translation for the paragraph at the bottom of the book reads as follows - "10 men try to conquer the complex and dangerous frontier between the United States and Mexico. A novel where reality is even more terrifying than fiction."

- Robert

Words of Encouragement

I received this email the other day from a police officer in Camden, NJ. It's really great to get emails like this and to know that people do care about this story. To me it's really encouraging and it's evident that other police officers understand the importance of this project and the personal sacrifice these men went through.

"Every once in a while I surf the net looking for any info I can find on the heroes of what I consider to be one of the most incredible stories in the history of law enforcement.

"Your project is, in my opinion, is long overdue. The story of what these officers accomplished in those hills at great personal sacrifice needed to be expanded upon.

"Lines and Shadows remains my favorite book. A book that I always felt should be transferred to film. The participants needed to be heard through their own voices. I will be visiting your website periodically in anticipation of any news on your project. Thank you."

Sergeant Kurt Clauss
Camden City Police Dept.
Camden, NJ

San Diego Union-Tribune Article

(NELVIN C. CEPEDA / Union-Tribune

José Arias Martínez, 75, has lived more than half his life in a small wooden house near the border. During times of greater smuggling activity, he would sell carnitas in the hills.)

I was forwarded the below article by Tony Puente, a fellow BARFer, about the border. Goes to show that even after 30 years some things do not change.

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE

- Robert