In an interview, director Julio Quintana and actor Brett Cullen discuss their new film, The Long Game, and their hope that telling this story will bring people together.

Inspired by the true story of five young Mexican-American caddies in 1957, and based on the book Mustang Miracle by Humberto G. Garcia, the film tells the story of these young men. Driven by their love for the game, they were determined to learn how to play. So, they created their own golf course in the middle of the South Texas desert. The Long Game which stars Jay Hernandez, Quaid, and Cheech Marin, won the 2023 SXSW Audience Award.

Director Julio Quintana explores America’s 1950s racial issues for a modern audience

The film takes audiences back to 1957, where J.B. Peña and his wife relocate to the small town of Del Rio, TX. Though his job as a school superintendent is important, J.B.’s main goal is to join the fancy, all-white Del Rio Country Club. However, his dreams are shattered by a discriminatory rejection based solely on skin color. Undeterred, J.B.’s world soon takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a group of young Latino golf caddies working at the club.

Inspired by their rough-and-ready course, fueled by pure love for the game, J.B. hatches a daring plan. He convinces the boys to form their own high school golf team. Despite limited experience and even scarcer resources, they embark on a transformative journey. This team will discover that the road to making history requires more than just golf skills.

Austin-based Latino writer-director Julio Quintana, whose family emigrated from Cuba, connects with the film’s themes despite the characters’ different struggles. Driven by the feeling of not belonging, Quintana explores America’s 1950s racial issues for a modern audience.

“I hope that it is something that could be an example for how we face any challenge, not just something that happened 70 years ago.” – Julio Quintana

Quintana’s biggest challenge: translating the film’s themes into a modern context. He avoided portraying Latinos as victims, focusing instead on the dream-chasing spirit of the young men.

Actor Brett Cullen on the film’s importance

Texas actor Brett Cullen reminisces about the film’s SXSW premiere when discussing its upcoming Texas screening. He called it incredible and emphasized that their Audience Award win speaks volumes about the film’s importance.

“It was quite incredible, actually, because I hadn’t seen the movie. You know, we shot it. I was there, I read the script. I know everything that was going on. And I remember sitting in the theater. Dennis [Quaid] and Laurie, his wife, who were also producers on the film, were sitting in front of me. It was probably two-thirds of the way through the movie. I grabbed his shoulder (he and I have known each other since we were at college together, I was 17). I went “Dennis!” He’s like, “Yeah?” “It’s a great friggin’ movie, man.” He’s like, “I know it.” And it was really wonderful. And the fact that we won the Audience Award even speaks volumes about how important this film is because it moved people, which is what I hope happens when it comes out in theaters, whether they stream it, or whatever happens down the road. That people see it, they’re touched by it, and it makes them rethink maybe a little bit about how they treat people.” Brett Cullen

The Long Game premiered at South by Southwest on March 12, 2023. It will be theatrically released on April 12, 2024.