La Americana and Neighbor’s Link at Jacob Burns Film Center
November 23, 2009
The following report was written by Marianne Delaney, Director of Development and Communications at Neighbor’s Link. Neighbors Link’s 2009 “Latin Links” event series opened with a reception and screening of La Americana at the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, NY. A conversation with the film’s director, Nicholas Bruckman, Steve Apkon, Executive Director of the Jacob Burns Film Center, and Carola Otero Bracco, Executive Director of Neighbors Link, followed the screening:
The viewers were deeply moved by the film. The story was relevant to everyone in the audience – primarily affluent suburban residents – since the suburbs are now, for the first time in our history, a primary destination for many immigrants.
The intensely difficult and demanding work done by Carmen, the main character of the film, strikes a chord with all Americans who daily witness immigrants performing back-breaking labor for minimal (and occasionally no) compensation, only to be expected to disappear at the end of the workday – with their need for housing, healthcare and other basics not only ignored but resented.
“It’s a story I see over and over again in Westchester,” said Ms. Bracco. “As we watch the film, we realize that Carmen – as the vast majority of recent immigrants – had no choice but to come here – she had overwhelmingly compelling reasons to leave home, simply so that her daughter would survive.”
La Americana director Nicholas Bruckman on NY1: Noticias
November 18, 2009
American Immigration Council endorses La Americana
November 16, 2009
The American Immigration Council, one of the country’s largest immigration policy organizations, endorses La Americana as a resource for educators and advocates.
“La Americana puts a human face on today’s debate over immigration. It is a wonderful tool for educators, advocates, and policy experts who wish to create a humane discussion about this heated issue” – Claire Tesh, Director, American Immigration Council’s Community Education Center
