Plot

Illegal Rose is a short film about an unlikely friendship between Rose, a tired, disengaged, almost retired nurse's aide who accidentally kidnaps Sylvie, a 7 year-old ICE Detention Center runaway on the 4th of July. Inspired by Langston Hughes's short story, "Thank you, ma'am," Illegal Rose explores respect, decency and kindness through the eyes of two people of different generations, ages, races and legal status, as they navigate their choices and the consequences. The story reminds us that we are all human and no human being is illegal.

Rose, a disengaged, stuck-in-a-rut nurse, makes her daily stop at the convenience store after work and accidentally kidnaps Sylvie, a 9-year old runaway from the nearby ICE Detention Center. The two women take risks and change each other's lives and perspectives in just a few short hours on the Fourth of July.

Illegal Rose is a short film about an unlikely friendship formed against the backdrop of one of the most politically charged issues in recent history. Illegal Rose explores respect, decency and kindness through the eyes of two people of different generations, ages, races and legal status, as they navigate their choices and the consequences. The story reminds us that we are all human and no human being is illegal.

As a film team, we aim to create a dynamic and thoughtful conversation about humankind and the importance of being both human and kind to one another. Immigration in the U.S. must be addressed not only with policy but with humanity. With this film, we hope each viewer will see themselves and their families in the story of immigration and think deeply about the fight to keep families together. We hope to build empathy, encourage audiences to deeply and directly immerse themselves in the situations of others, and prompt action and engagement in the neighborhood, community and country in a positive way. This film supports gender parity in film and hired women and people of color in key roles in production including 1st AD, 1st AC, 2nd AC, Line Producer, Key Grip and Grip Assistant.