Directed by Angelita Mendoza
DRAMA
This film is available from November 27-30, 2020. To watch or vote for this film please click on the orange “TICKETS” button below and purchase a ticket for BLOCK 6.
Synopsis
Jay is the leader of a militia of citizens that detain immigrants crossing the U.S./Mexico border illegally. His world is turned upside down when an illegal immigrant and his young daughter break into his home.
Angelita Mendoza is an award-winning, Mexican-American film director based in New York City. Her passion for film started at her father’s video stores when she was a child. They became her film school.
Angelita’s short film The Last Light screened at 9 festivals in 4 countries, including the prestigious New York Film Festival and the San Diego Latino Film Festival. The Last Light has also aired on National Television.
Her 1-minute short film, “You Deserve It”, which showcases a day in the life of an immigrant in the U.S., won the Grand Prize at the Moet Moment Film Festival.
The influx of refugees and immigrants has caused tensions amongst residents of many western countries in recent years. Many residents of the United States are in fear of large caravans of immigrants making their way to the border. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants and an American, I try to see both points of view, as difficult as it may be.
The worst thing in the world, for me, is the dehumanization of any one group. In the case of “Great America,” I set out to humanize both the immigrants and the vigilantes who detain them. The world is not black and white; there are many shades of grey in between. I want to educate the audience about why someone would want to create a militia and detain immigrants, why it is so important to them, and not just vilify them. And I hope to show the audience the reason why someone would leave everything behind and risk their lives for the hope of a better one in the United States.
The U.S. has become a very divided country in recent years due to political rhetoric. I hope to start a conversation that will help humanize groups with opposing points of view. After all, we are all just human.
