Wednesday, May 19, 2010

What's Really Happening on the Arizona/Mexican Border

After reading my recommendation of the doc, "389 Miles: Living the Border," a Myspace friend wrote that she wished people in the Northeast could actually know what's going on along the border.

Her question really weighed on my heart, so I spoke to a friend of the Douglas rancher who was killed. She told me that the police now know that it was drug smugglers who killed the rancher. She is angry because the newspaper accounts pointed to illegal immigrants crossing the border. She confirmed that things are horrific on the border. The drug smugglers and human traffickers are ruthless murderers. Much of what is happening isn't covered on the news - for instance little girls are being abducted from their homes. The smugglers have gotten cocky and bold and will shoot anyone that gets in their way - even policemen. The ranchers in the area are requesting military intervention. These ranchers are rightfully outraged. They want to shoot anyone who comes on their property.

But I want to make something clear - all "illegals" are not the violent criminals. The media is equating the word "illegal" or "illegal immigrant" with violent criminals. Not everyone who is crossing the border is a drug smuggler, kidnapper, or home invader. Most are migrant workers risking their lives to work for a better life for their families. Some of these migrant workers are even kidnapped and held for ransom or sold into human slavery. They are the victims. You might say that they should stay in Mexico. Imagine how bad things must be at home for these people to risk their lives crossing our brutally hot desert. And now it has become nearly impossible to get papers to come here legally.

Recently, a facebook friend posted a Fox news story on the Mexican crime wave spreading to Arizona. It was clearly edited to illicit fear. There were shots of: huge stacks of cocaine, members of the Mexican drug cartel shooting each other, dead bodies, kidnapping innocent civilians and a full out military attack on the smugglers. Then they showed shots of the violence spreading to Arizona: shots of migrant workers being kidnapped, and even a reenactment of a home invasion in Phoenix. Scary stuff. But the scariest part was that some FB friends couldn't distinguish from migrant workers and the home-invaders. One FB friend asked, "How do we tell the difference?"

This is not the first time the media has broadcast stories to create fear of illegals. The documentary,"Immigrant Nation," shows President Bush's efforts for immigration reform derailed by his own party. The Republican party used the media to create fear of illegal immigrants to get people to vote Republican. The news covered every crime they could find done by illegals including a drunk driver hitting an American. They created fear anyway they could - even reporting rumors of diseases being brought into our country by illegals.

I've lived in Tucson, Arizona for 15 years. I've seen undocumented immigrants in low income jobs like dish-washing and housecleaning or physically demanding outdoor work like landscaping, construction, and roofing. I don't know how they work out in hot Arizona sun. I wouldn't want to do it.

The undocumented workers I see are living in trailers, raising families, and working hard to send home money to their families in Mexico. I know a young woman who nearly died in the desert when she injured her foot. Luckily, a friend found her a walking stick which saved her life. Now that she knows the dangers, she says that she wouldn't cross the desert again. She came here to find work so she could help her family in a small Mexican town where there are only a few low paying jobs. Even when she found work, all her family could afford was tortillas and beans. I asked her why she didn't wait to come here legally and she said it costs so much and takes ten years (if you are accepted.)

This is a complicated issue. That is why documentaries like "389 Miles: Living the Border" (link to full movie) are so important. Tucson Filmmaker Luiscarlos Davis, who lived on the border city of Nogales, traveled the length of the border to capture stories that put a human face on this issue.

Recognizing a pressing need, Luiscarlos is presenting his documentary around Arizona to create more understanding during these difficult transitional times. He has agreed to do free screenings; but because the film doesn't have distribution yet he must present the film himself. This is great because he has a personal connection with the issue that he can share. Please, consider arranging for a screening for your club, organization or church NOW.

Movie blessings!
Jana Segal

(Note: The host usually pays for the filmmakers' travel expenses and may make a donation towards the costs of preparing the film for distribution so even more people can see this powerful film.)

To arrange for a screening, e-mail the filmmaker Luiscarlos at: email@389miles.com

Friday, May 07, 2010

Reel Inspiration: About Films of Substance.

You may have noticed that I haven't written a review for a while. I've seen plenty of films but few have inspired a review. (Sundance winner, "Don't Let Me Drown," that screened at the AIFF, warranted a great review but I only had time to send out a quick summary.) Even the Oscar nominated films I saw were lightweight in regards to theme.

I considered writing a review of "Crazy Heart." I thoroughly enjoyed Jeff Bridges lived-in performance of the seedy, alcoholic, has-been Western singer Bad Blake as well as his musical performance (which earned him a well-deserved Oscar nod.) But, for me, there was something missing from this redemption story. When Bad finally decides to go to rehab, his father says something to effect that it won't be easy. Aside from a scene where his young girlfriend refuses take him back, it's damn easy. No difficult introspection going on here.

After seeing the trailer of, "The Last Station" I looked forward to reviewing this historic epic about the last turbulent days of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy with his wife Countess Sofya . (Tolstoy's novels "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina" sparked the Tolstoyism movement.) One reviewer called "The Last Station" a romantic comedy, a romantic romp! Considering the subject, I hoped for something more. I found the feuding between Tolstoy and his aristocratic, drama-queen wife entertaining. (Helen Mirren deserved an Oscar for her role.) But I learned very little about Tolstoyism movement - just that they opposed private property (while Tolstoy owned a huge estate) and advocated sexual abstinence (while Tolstoy and Sofya had numerous children.) The main focus of the story is about who should get the rights to his novels after Tolstoy's death - his wife and muse Sofya or the Russian people. This plot line becomes repetitious, then tedious. But I enjoyed the pretty scenery and pretty love making (ironically!)

"The Last Station" and "Crazy Heart" are now playing at Crossroads Cinema. I would definitely recommend them for their Oscar caliber performances and entertainment value.


Of all the films I watched, the one with the most depth and importance was a sixty-minute documentary called, "389 Miles: Living the Border" by Tucson filmmaker Luiscarlos Davis. I generally don't review documentaries, but I am making an exception because this film is so relevant to the issues of our times. Luiscarlos, who grew up in the border city of Nogales, travels the length of the border to find the true and sometimes tragic stories. I was so moved by this film, that I immediately went on facebook and urged my friends to organize screenings to spread more understanding of border issues and the trials facing migrant workers.

Recognizing a pressing need, Luiscarlos is presenting his documentary around Arizona to create more understanding during these difficult transitional times. He has agreed to do free screenings; but because the film doesn't have distribution yet he must present the film himself. This is great because he has a personal connection with the issue that he can share. Please, consider arranging for a screening for your club, organization or church NOW.

Movie blessings!
Jana Segal

(Note: The host usually pays for the filmmakers' travel expenses and may make a donation towards the costs of preparing the film for distribution so even more people can see this powerful film.)

To arrange for a screening, e-mail the filmmaker Luiscarlos at: email@389miles.com

Watch the trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0kvjJXKYGs