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
Report from ASFC screening of La Americana, Denver, CO
October 22, 2009
On 10/6/09, Coloradans for Immigrant Rights, a project of the American Friends Service Committee, hosted a screening of La Americana. Organizing Director Jordan Garcia reports back on the event:
“The discussion after our screening of the film, La Americana really brought people to a place of wanting to envision a way of life that treats people with dignity and respect. It was so clear, after hearing Carmen’s story, that something must be done! People’s lives are more important than the laws that don’t work anymore!
Our discussion allowed us to explore the importance of urgently working for reform, the “push factors” that lead immigrants here, to the U.S., and made us look at our country’s desperate need to do something — and soon! People can’t wait any longer for our policy makers to radically change their lives, the film conveyed the message of urgency to our members. Many people in the audience were moved by the ending… It really brought home the point that this issue affects millions of people, not just one.
This film was beneficial to both our organization and our community, and provided us with a way to start a conversation from a place of humanity and compassion. We work with a lot of teachers through our Educators for Immigrant Rights project and hope to have more students view the film.”
- Jordan T. Garcia
Organizing Director
American Friends Service Committee
Screening 10/22 at InterAmerican Development Bank, Washington, DC
October 17, 2009
