A six-year, intimate journey into the life of a young, undocumented student and her family before, during and after DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
Produced/Directed/Shot/Edited by: Brenda Avila-Hanna
Additional interviews/footage: Lorena Sánchez
Academic Advisor: B. Ruby Rich
RT: 23min.
Available at New Day Films & Kanopy.
Festivals: Lakino Berlin, CineMás: San Francisco Latino Film Festival and 10+
Educational/Activism screenings available through DREAMer Docs. 50+ public screenings in theaters, schools, places of worship and libraries in the United States.
Featured/Reviews:
"The director brilliantly juxtaposes Vanessa’s coming-of-age with immigration policies and practices at a larger scale, which, rather than help immigrant families reunite, have grown increasingly discriminatory and racist. Vanessa’s personal cinematic vignette and the portrayal of her family’s struggles to stay afloat invite classroom discussion on immigration policies and practices and their direct impact and influence at personal, local, state, and federal levels."
(Reviewed along with Corey Ohama's "I Was Born in Mexico, but...")
"These 2 films about what life was like before DACA will move you to tears...
...the film shows how similar teens lives are no matter where in the country they live. Martinez is shown going to school, playing with friends, and then learns about the DACA program. Suddenly, her options for attending college feel within reach.
Beautifully directed...able to capture the teenage voice as well as rich history of Mexican immigration to America"
Also featured at the Define American website.
