Vida Nueva (New Life)

Synopsis

"Filmmakers in attendance! Q&A to follow screening! VIDA NUEVA (New Life) is an immersive docu-film exploring the lasting effects of long-term incarceration and the transformative power of forgiveness, resilience, and healing. The story follows the Reyes siblings—Eliana, Max, Christian, and Sebastian—as they prepare to reunite with their father, Maximo Reyes Sr., after 26 years apart. In 1997, Maximo Sr. was sentenced to 30 years in prison, leaving a profound void in his children’s lives and forcing them to navigate childhood and adulthood without their beloved father. As his release date nears in late 2022, Eliana, an actor, producer, and emerging filmmaker, joins forces with her eldest brother Max and industry peers to document their family’s journey. Together, they reveal the generational impact of incarceration while confronting the uncertainty of release, deportation, and reintegration. In January 2023, the siblings travel to the Dominican Republic, where the long-awaited reunion finally unfolds. Tears, prayers, and raw emotion capture the gravity of the moment, symbolizing both closure and a new beginning. Through intimate interviews, the siblings reflect on loss, faith, and hope, while Maximo Sr. now a pastor shares his regrets, resilience, and unshakable faith. VIDA NUEVA is a powerful testament to love, forgiveness, and the unbreakable bonds of family. CONTENT WARNING: Highly Emotional Scenes "