La Madre Buena is The Trump Film You Didn’t Know You Needed in Your Life

What would you do if you weren’t afraid? That’s what Sarah Clift found herself asking when a friend happened to give her a pack of crayons that was emblazoned with the question. What would she do?

The answer, it turns out, is to quit her job as a creative director and make a film about a little Mexican boy who really, really, really wants a Donald Trump piñata. Oh and learn how to play polo.

Sarah, who is originally from Yorkshire, is also the UK Partner of production service company Madrefoca and has been splitting her time between Britain and Mexico. The film was inspired by both her love of Mexico and the chance conversation with a Washington-based judge who was on the hunt for a Trump piñata.

“The idea is a simple tale that focuses on things that are very important to me: the theme of strong women and making a beautiful portrait of Mexican people that has lately been downgraded, particularly in the US,” says Sarah.

“I have recently spent a lot of time in Mexico, which is where the idea was first inspired. It was very important to me that the film represented a very international point of view. I used local cast and crew, shooting for five days in Mexico, and then took the post production to London. Having a simple, strong, topical idea attracted some amazing talent to the project at every step, which I feel is reflected through the craft of the film.”

While the film itself is not overtly political in its subject matter – and is as much about a mother’s love for her child – Sarah was keen to add something to the conversation about the US elections and the rise of Donald Trump. “Together with the team at Madrefoca we wanted the film to be something for people to be able to share and talk about, especially in the current political climate; which is why it is going straight to online release – just as the US presidential debate commences,” she says.

The film marks the culmination of an incredible personal journey for Sarah who was, before deciding to follow her dreams of becoming a director and ‘part-time cowgirl’, was, among other things, a creative director at Leo Burnett in London and an International Creative Director at McCann, based in Paris.

To top it all off, Sarah picked up a clutch of awards at the Kinsale Sharks Awards in Ireland this weekend, including: Best International New Director, Best International Short (under 5 minutes), Best Writing / Idea, Best Director and Best Casting. The film was only completed recently and watching the film at the award show was the first time Sarah had seen it with a big audience - and the audience responded with plenty of laughs.    

 “My directorial debut has had a fairy tale beginning. I’ve followed my heart, scared myself every day, laughed a lot and created something I’m incredibly proud of, and that I hope people will want to share.”