Oscar-qualified short FIRELINE: Interview with Director Robin Takao D'Oench & Actor Bobby Soto

Ladies and gentlemen, the lives of incarcerated wildland firefighters are the subject of the exhilarating Oscar-qualifying short film FIRELINE. The story follows Otto as he grapples with the challenges of prison life and his desire to connect with his daughter against the backdrop of a forest fire. Th film highlights the pivotal role played by prison labor in California’s firefighting efforts and the limited opportunities for these individuals to pursue careers in firefighting upon reentering society.

After being denied parole, Otto desperately tries to call his daughter while his crew combats a fire. Amidst the chaos of the field, an accident forces him to confront the true extent of his obligations.

FIRELINE is an incredible short film, full of emotion, danger and a ray of hope that awaits Otto.

My prayer is this film will help those incarcerated who are on the frontlines fighting fires protecting our communities will have a wider choice of career when reentering society.

ABOUT THE GUESTS

Robin Takao D’Oench and Bobby Soto.

Robin is a writer/director/producer who is motivated to tell compelling, cinematic, and culturally diverse stories.

His multi-award winning short TADAI-EMA, inspired by his family’s experiences during the Japanese American Internment, received a certificate of commendation from the city of San Francisco. The film screened at over a hundred festivals and events, was acquired by Comcast-Xfinity, Seed & Spark, Full Spectrum Pictures and is included in the Densho: Japanese American Legacy Resource Guide.

Actor Bobby Soto has starred in the Amazon feature film, A MILLION MILES AWAY starring opposite Michael Peña and Rosa Salazar. He can also be seen in the multi-award winning film FLAMIN' HOT, directed by Eva Longoria. And can also be seen on Netflix's NARCOS.

In 2020, Bobby was seen in Scott Teems' THE QUARRY, opposite Michael Shannon and Shea Whigham. Additionally, Bobby played the lead of David Ayer’s film THE TAX COLLECTOR opposite Shia LaBeouf.

Robin’s newest short, FIRELINE is a story that follows Otto played by Bobby Soto as he grapples with the challenges of prison life and his desire to connect with his daughter against the backdrop of a forest fire.

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