Save the Flea
Director: Michael Ruiz Unger
“Save the Flea” is a sci-fi adventure short film directed by Michael J. Ruiz-Unger and photographed by Director of Photography Sherman Johnson. Filmed in Miami, Florida, the project stars Armando Bernal, Chavela Monclova, Thomas Copeland, and Edgar Ojeda. The film follows teenagers Miguel and Rosa as they search for a mystical good luck charm that could save their local flea market from permanent closure. Blending coming-of-age storytelling with fantasy and mystery, the film explores community, young love, and the importance of preserving places that bring people together. Photographed on the ARRI Alexa Mini LF with ARRI Ultra Prime lenses, the film was shot almost entirely handheld on practical locations throughout Miami. The cinematography combines the bright, sun-soaked atmosphere of South Florida with moody, practical-light interiors, creating a visual style that grounds the story’s fantastical elements within a recognizable and authentic world.
Save the Flea Shot by Sherman Johnson Director of Photography
Director: Michael Ruiz Unger