May 2026: Features - Telling New Mexico Stories Through Film: Daniel Lucero and Yazmean La Patrona’s “Tryst”

Still from the movie, Tryst

For Albuquerque creatives Daniel Lucero and Yazmean La Patrona, storytelling is more than entertainment. It is community, culture, healing, and reflection. Their debut short film, Tryst, represents all of those things while tackling a subject that deeply affects New Mexico communities: addiction.

Created with local artists and rooted in Albuquerque culture, the film marks an important first step for the duo as filmmakers while also opening the door for larger conversations about art and recovery.

“This will be our debut film,” Yazmean La Patrona shared. “It is called Tryst, and it was very important for us for the projects that we make to be really rooted in our community.”

That commitment to community became central to every part of the production. From local actresses to makeup artists, the pair intentionally built the project around New Mexico talent. “The film is made with local actresses like Kenzie Ross, local dog Jasper, and local makeup artist Rosa Hermosa,” Yazmean explained. “And we didn't want to just highlight local artists, but we also wanted to showcase our culture and the struggles it faces.”

Those struggles became the emotional center of the story. “So we really came and put together a story that touches on addiction,” she said.

The collaboration between Yazmean and Daniel grew naturally from years of friendship and shared creative ambition. The two originally met during a theater production and continued building their artistic partnership from there. “Yazmean and I actually met doing a theater production,” Daniel Lucero said. “And from there our creative ambitions just kind of aligned a little bit, and we've continued to work together since.”

The film itself developed from a desire to create something authentic to Albuquerque and the people who live here.

“We've been wanting to film something that felt true to our surroundings and the people around us,” Daniel explained. “And so I think our goal here is just to start a conversation.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjsTKCuPyPg

That conversation is one that the filmmakers approached carefully and respectfully. Addiction continues to affect countless families across New Mexico, and the duo wanted to ensure the story never lost sight of the humanity behind the issue.

“I feel like the weight of this subject—we have to humanize it,” Yazmean said. “I feel like that's the beauty of storytelling. It makes everyone feel a lot less alone.”

Rather than sensationalizing addiction, Tryst focuses on emotional honesty and connection. “We really want this film to be able to speak to people who have experienced this,” she continued. “Know that there are resources that they could reach out to, and just know that they're not the only ones that are going through it.”

That same focus on connection extends beyond the screen. The pair hopes to create community-centered screenings that combine art with meaningful discussion and outreach. “We would like to have an event, a screening where it just feels very filled with our community,” Yazmean explained. “We'd like to partner with local theaters here in our city that feel passionate about this cause and hopefully reach out to resource centers of recovery and make it an event that brings art and conversation together.”

For two emerging filmmakers, it’s an ambitious approach—but one deeply reflective of Albuquerque’s creative spirit. Rather than seeing film as something isolated from the community, Daniel and Yazmean view it as a bridge between people, experiences, and resources.

And they are not slowing down anytime soon. “Once we finish this, we are actually currently working on a magazine with the team,” Daniel shared. “It is meant to highlight New Mexico culture and just the beauty of New Mexico.”

The upcoming project, titled Culture, will also include a fashion show scheduled for July 31, continuing its mission to uplift local creatives and celebrate the richness of New Mexico artistry.

For Yazmean and Daniel, Tryst is only the beginning. What stands out most is not simply their artistic ambition but their commitment to ensuring local stories are told by local voices. In a time when conversations about addiction, identity, and community are more important than ever, Tryst serves as a reminder that independent storytelling can still create space for empathy, honesty, and healing.

To learn more about upcoming screenings and future projects, audiences can follow Daniel Lucero and Yazmean La Patrona on Instagram.