Luis Gerardo Méndez has been cast in the film ‘Animals,’ directed by and starring Ben Affleck alongside Kerry Washington. The project centers on a Los Angeles mayoral candidate and his wife who receive notification of their son’s kidnapping, setting off a chain of events that draws in various parties.
Méndez portrays Ramon, an undocumented Mexican national and boyfriend of the family’s housekeeper, portrayed by Adriana Paz. According to Méndez, Affleck personally reached out to him after being impressed by his performance in the third season of Netflix’s ‘Narcos: Mexico,’ where Méndez played corrupt officer Victor Tapia. Affleck reportedly wrote script revisions specifically tailored to Méndez’s character, incorporating elements the actor felt were essential for proper representation and authentic dialogue.
Beyond the film’s entertainment value, Méndez has expressed hopes that ‘Animals’ will generate meaningful discourse surrounding immigration issues. He emphasized that migrants typically leave their homes due to circumstances beyond their control, such as violence or political persecution, rather than by choice. Méndez highlighted that immigrants generally seek legitimate employment opportunities and wish to contribute positively to their communities, despite operating within systems that may not recognize or reward their efforts.
Méndez, who divides his time between Los Angeles and Mexico City while serving as a goodwill ambassador for UNHCR, spoke candidly about immigration enforcement and humanitarian concerns. He referenced recent incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement and expressed concern about the dignity of all individuals regardless of immigration status. Additionally, Méndez raised concerns about climate-related migration patterns, noting that environmental displacement may affect populations globally in coming decades and underscoring the importance of empathy and preparedness for unforeseen circumstances.
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