- George Chung
- Jan 1
- 6 min read
Award-winning action film starring Cobra Kai actor exemplifies representation in front and behind the camera for a new generation of mixed race, Latino, and Asian Americans demanding change through story.
As a mixed-race filmmaker, Aughbar faces challenges in telling his story because many perceive it as a hard sell, often due to the underrepresentation of mixed voices and diverse cultural influences in mainstream cinema. He strongly disagrees, using genre films like action to introduce audiences to characters from his culture in dynamic roles. The Humming Grows exemplifies this approach, showcasing authentic and complex representation of Latino and Asian influences within American cinema.
Casting Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz (Cobra Kai, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) as the lead was a pivotal moment. Her expertise and credits brought unparalleled authenticity to the project. Collaborating with Justin Ortiz (Cobra Kai, Blue Beetle, Ms. Marvel), the film’s stunt coordinator, elevated the action sequences to a professional level rarely seen in student short films.
Behind the Scenes: Bringing Jodie to Life
Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz, best known for her role as Maria Alvarez in Cobra Kai and as Jenna Ortega’s stunt double in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, describes her experience on The Humming Grows as transformative:
"The Humming Grows was the first project that really opened up my eyes to the value that there is in being a good stunt actor. They said, ‘You are such a good storyteller with your physical body that you can do both.’ It was a life changer, a career changer for me."
Justin Ortiz, known for playing Diego Aguilar in Cobra Kai and his work on Blue Beetle, Ozark, and Ms. Marvel, brought a grounded approach to the film’s action:
"We love creating. We love storytelling, fighting because that was always a passion. It’s important to then talk to the director and just see where he comes from. Like, he’s telling me, ‘I’m half Thai, I’m Latino, so I wanna see Muay Thai in there.’ Now you see more of that influence in this fight."
The film follows Jodie, a fiercely determined Latina martial artist, as she confronts her dark past to rescue her sister. Ramos-Ortiz’s portrayal of the film’s lead character is groundbreaking, as it gives audiences a Latina action hero who is as emotionally complex as she is physically capable.
The Humming Grows features creative action sequences, combining intense physicality with deep emotional stakes to tell a truly unique story. Her performance marks a significant departure from the typical tropes often seen in genre films, bringing authenticity and depth to a character rarely seen on the big screen. With The Humming Grows, Aughbar champions diverse representation in cinema, ensuring characters influenced from multiple cultures take center stage in an original way. Jewelianna credits Aughbar for seeing her potential beyond stunts and encouraging her to take on the lead role:
"The first people that saw it in me was the director, Aughbar, and the team. They said, ‘You don’t just have to be a stunt double. You are already what Jodie is.’ That support was incredible."
But The Humming Grows is beyond a typical action movie. It delves deeply into the themes of grief, forgiveness, and the struggle to break free from cycles of violence. At the core of its narrative lies the idea that true strength is not found in the fight but in the ability to let go of past pain and move forward with purpose. Justin Ortiz’ expertise in action choreography elevated the film, blending intense emotion with thrilling action. Heavy hitting moments were met with loud reactions from audiences carrying over to a sizable online following for a student short film. The Humming Grows features stunt choreography that is emotionally powerful as it is physically intense.
The Significance of Representation in Genre Films
The Humming Grows exemplifies the power of action film representation, in which emotional depth and physicality converge to present diverse stories. The film stands out by delivering honest representation in film, offering a portrayal of complex characters that reflect real experiences. With a mixed-race cultural influence in filmmaking, Aughbar blends his Thai and Cuban heritage into the film’s narrative and action sequences. Aughbar’s upbringing as the son of immigrants shaped his vision as a filmmaker. His parents inspired him to create a fresh take on these genres, blending their influences to push messages of representation and authenticity.
"To be a Latino in film, it means a lot because there’s not a lot of us out here. I’m also mixed, so having that dual representation put out there is always a step forward."
In a landscape that often underrepresents or misrepresents mixed-race, Latino, and Asian identities, this film provides a refreshing and much-needed shift. It isn’t just about showcasing diversity on screen — it’s about telling the stories that have long been overlooked and giving space for these complex characters to be more than stereotypes. The Humming Grows brings a critical evolution in Latino representation in film, showcasing a complex Latina character who transcends typical genre tropes. The film doesn’t just reflect the experiences of its characters, but also the cultural heritage of its creator, infusing the narrative with layers of personal and collective history.
Aughbar’s mixed heritage, combining Asian-American representation, enriches the story and brings a unique cultural depth to the action genre. The film’s themes of redemption and familial bonds mirror Aughbar’s own experiences as a first-generation Latino and Asian American. His parents, who immigrated to the U.S. as children, found solace and cultural connection through films and television.
“My mother loves crime thrillers, and my father action movies. So using action to introduce audiences to people from my culture allows them to become familiar and comfortable with our voices”
Aughbar faced the challenges of being a mixed filmmaker head-on, fighting against the perception that diverse stories are a hard sell. The film’s transition of violence to emotional healing—reflect Aughbar and many American’s journey of self-discovery and resilience. Aughbar’s approach to genre filmmaking blends thrilling action with meaningful storytelling, breaking barriers for both representation and genre films. At its heart, the film is a metaphorical exploration of fighting through darkness and finding purpose, inspired by the movies and TV shows that shaped Aughbar’s upbringing and cultural affinity for action and drama genres.
In a cinematic world that often prioritizes action over emotional depth, The Humming Grows dares to focus on what truly matters: connection, self-realization, and the courage to change. The story, written, directed, produced, and edited by Aughbar provides emotional power stemming from its raw, unflinching portrayal of grief, strength, and love — themes that are deeply felt by the characters and resonate deeply with audiences. As a first-generation filmmaker, Aughbar’s experiences growing up with immigrant parents infuse his films with authenticity and emotional resonance. Incorporating elements of Latino and Asian heritage in action films, Aughbar’s direction brings something fresh and personal to the genre.
A Film Festival Favourite
Herald as “Reshaping Action Cinema” from Black Belt Magazine, the world’s largest martial arts publication and “More than just an action movie” from Georgia Entertainment, The Humming Grows is making an impact on audiences. Since its premiere at film festivals like the Rome International Film Festival, The Humming Grows has been celebrated for its groundbreaking representation and powerful storytelling. Since it’s completion the film has been recognized by faculty and alumni at the Savannah College of Art and Design for submission to the country’s top student film competitions including the Student Emmy’s, Student Oscars, and Student DGA Awards. The Humming Grows World Premiered at the Rome International Film Festival, winning the Sylvia Jury Award for Best Latinx Film.
The festival said it recognized it for: "Its direct execution of its vision, creating a believable story that fully pulls you into the world... You don’t usually see action this good in short films.”
It premiered as part of the Latinx Shorts and the After Dark Shorts blocks. Not to mention the film and lead actress being highlighted at the festival at “A Conversation with Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz” hosted by RIFF. Aughbar expressed gratitude for his team and the community:
"This is my first ever film. I appreciate my whole team and my parents for their support. I hope this film will inspire more people to just make whatever the f*** they want."
Breaking Barriers in Genre Cinema
Starring Cobra Kai actress Jewelianna Ramos-Ortiz in the lead role, The Humming Grows benefits from her real portrayal of a fierce Latina action hero. Aughbar’s work in film industry diversity is a call to action for more inclusive storytelling and a move away from outdated stereotypes. As the film continues its festival circuit throughout 2025, Aughbar hopes to inspire future filmmakers and audiences alike to embrace diverse narratives in the art form by bringing the film to more festival audiences across the country.
As a mixed-race filmmaker, Aughbar is dedicated to telling stories that reflect the diverse identities often overlooked in mainstream cinema. Unlike typical action films, The Humming Grows focuses on emotional storytelling in genre films, exploring themes of grief, forgiveness, and personal growth. With its award-winning debut and poignant themes, The Humming Grows is not just a film; it’s a movement to change how Latina and mixed voices are seen and celebrated in cinema.
