The Caged Bird

In Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Pastor Juan Carlos Ruiz has welcomed thousands of newly arrived immigrants to New York City. A memory from when he was a boy is a reminder of what holds many back…

Produced & Directed by Michael Premo, Rachel Falcone, Jean-Michel Dissard

Cinematography by Oliver Zapata Ramirez, Lorena Nicole Vicente, Michael Premo

Sound by Rachel Falcone

Editing by Edgar Andrade

A Storyline series.

We are Public Artists in Residence for New York City’s celebration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The residency is coordinated through the NYC Dept. of Cultural Affairs in partnership with NYC Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.