DIRECTOR STATEMENT
In writing “My Backyard Was A Mountain” (originally titled “Palmarejo”), writer-director Adam Schlachter’s initial source of inspiration came close to his heart: At the tender age of seven, Adam had to leave behind his hometown of Palmarejo, Puerto Rico, for the uncertain life he would lead in the United States. Although the story of Adan is a fictional one, several elements of Adam’s own experience came to play in the screenplay. The making of the film became not only a passionate challenge for the young filmmaker, but it emerged as a truly personal journey for the entire thesis team, including producer Austin Wakefield, cinematographer Matyas Erdely, editor Stephanie Hernstadt, and composer Carlos Jose Alvarez, who all connected to the story’s universal themes.

As is his only practice, Adam cast actors whom he instinctually felt were right for each individual role, whether from the repertoire of actors he had worked with before, such as Leily Sanchez and Ada Luz Pla, to the open casting call, such as Johnny Ray Rodriguez, to his love of taking risks with non-actors, such as Andrew Aguilar in the lead. Adam spent one month training the actors in not only understanding the difference between Puerto Rican and their native Spanish dialect, but understanding the difference between the urban Puerto Rican of today, the rural Puerto Rican of old, and the Neuyorican from the Bronx. (And two cardinal sins of filmmaking were broken: Kids and animals. In this case, sixteen total children, three chickens, two horses, and one happy goat and its stand-in. What a treat it was when Adam found out one of his favorite actors, Daniel Lugo, jovially agreed to act in the film!)

Before and after principal photography wrapped, an overwhelming grassroots effort, including an extensive letter-writing campaign, the creation of a promotional DVD and brochure, and a comedy fundraiser, “Save Chivo”, paved the way to raising the necessary budget funds to make the film possible. With the help of all thesis supporters, including executive producers Nikki Dalmau and Tayna Rivera, and some handsome production grants from the likes of the Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, the Caucus for Television Producers, Writers, and Directors Foundation, and the Mulicultural Motion Picture Association, the project was finished on 35mm film. In partnership with FotoKem, Adam, Matyas, and color timer Rich Semer have created beautiful prints from a Super-16mm blow-up. The last stages of post-production skillfully fine-tuned the look of the film ever closer to the initial inspiration: The faded photos from Adam’s Puerto Rican childhood.

“My Backyard Was A Mountain” was a challenging film to create. But the strength of the story kept everyone focused. Bringing the tale to life was a true labor of love for all.