I'm Leaving Now (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

The film is set in two primary locations: Brooklyn, New York, where Felipe has lived and worked for sixteen years, and Mexico, his homeland where his family resides. The contrast between these two places represents the central tension of the story - the life Felipe has built in America versus the family and roots he left behind.

• brooklyn
• new york
• mexico
• setting
• locations
• immigrant community

The movie captures contemporary life in the modern era, specifically following Felipe's story over a two-year period. It reflects the current realities of undocumented workers navigating life in America today, rather than depicting a specific historical era.

• contemporary
• modern
• time period
• present day
• two years

Felipe Hernández is an undocumented Mexican immigrant who has spent sixteen years working in Brooklyn. He is dedicated to providing for his family through multiple jobs, but now faces the difficult decision of whether to return to Mexico or continue his life in America. His story exemplifies the struggles and aspirations of immigrants living in the United States.

• felipe hernandez
• main character
• undocumented worker
• immigrant

The documentary explores three core themes: Family, Labor, and Identity. The film examines the emotional toll of prolonged family separation, the relentless work ethic of migrant laborers, and the complex experience of belonging to two different worlds. These themes intersect through Felipe's personal struggle.

• family
• labor
• identity
• themes
• immigrant experience

The film portrays family as a driving force behind Felipe's impossible decision. After years of separation, he longs to reconnect with his loved ones, yet discovers that his family's situation may not align with his hopes. The movie illustrates the complexities of familial love at a distance and the sacrifices made in its name.

• family
• separation
• love
• sacrifice
• relationships

The film highlights the invisible lives of migrant workers like Felipe, who endure harsh working conditions while juggling multiple jobs to support their families. It showcases the silent resilience and determination of those laboring at the fringes of society, emphasizing the economic pressures that keep many immigrants working far from home.

• labor
• work
• migrant workers
• jobs
• economic hardship
• undocumented

Felipe's journey explores the tension of existing between two cultures - his Mexican heritage and his American life. The film examines what it means to belong nowhere fully, as he balances responsibilities in the U.S. while yearning for his true home in Mexico. This theme resonates with anyone who has experienced the immigrant identity crisis.

• identity
• belonging
• culture
• immigrant experience
• two worlds

The film adopts a slow, observational, and meditative approach that emphasizes everyday rhythms and emotional subtleties. While the subject matter is heartbreaking, it avoids high drama, instead favoring a melancholic tone characterized by quiet sadness and reflective contemplation of Felipe's isolation and his family's expectations.

• tone
• style
• mood
• documentary
• melancholic
• observational

Felipe is torn between two irreconcilable needs: wanting to return to Mexico to be with his family after sixteen years of separation, and staying in Brooklyn to continue providing financial support. His family's financial struggles and his sense of duty create an impossible situation that forces him to weigh longing against responsibility.

• return
• decision
• family
• financial support
• responsibility

The documentary highlights how undocumented workers like Felipe live in a state of constant uncertainty, facing economic hardship, limited rights, and the psychological weight of being separated from family. These challenges are portrayed not through dramatic moments but through the quiet accumulation of daily struggles and impossible choices.

• undocumented
• challenges
• struggles
• uncertainty
• immigrant rights