Immigration. Yes, here in Los Angeles nothing gets right wing talk radio all fired up like immigration. Now, a director for a film that is getting zero play here on the web, or anywhere else (maybe because snooty critics panned it), gets an interview with the AP. Reuters talks to Patricia Riggen about her film, Under the Same Moon:
“It was my first full-length feature. We had no money, no time, and people told me I was crazy to even try” to make the movie, Riggen told Reuters.
“Under the Same Moon” tells of a Mexican mother, Rosario, working illegally as a domestic laborer in Los Angeles while her son Carlos is left behind in Mexico.
After years apart, the 9-year-old boy decides to risk everything and cross the border in search of his mother. What ensues is a tale of the extreme measures immigrants will take to come to the United States and the harrowing trip they face.
Riggen insists that she never set out to push political buttons when starting work on the movie three years ago by developing the script with writer Ligiah Villalobos.
“Immigration wasn’t a big topic,” she said. “In fact, it was considered a bad subject as people didn’t want to watch movies about it. But I went ahead because I never thought of this film in those terms.”
Blah-blah-blah. I don
“maybe because snooty critics panned it”
What does that even mean, Sasha? The film IS awful, but the critical reception has been overwhelmingly strong, so maybe the reason why it hasn’t lit up the skies (thank heavens) is less insiduous than you imagine. Have you even seen it Sasha?
It’s a pretty bad movie.
Considering I don’t oppose “illegal” immigration, don’t consider the film “propaganda,” and don’t take issue with the apparently very damaging fact that it was funded by the Mexican government, I am very interested in seeing this film. Thanks for convincing me, What Reuters “forgot”.
I remember seeing this trailer about 4 or 5 months ago but then it dropped off the radar. Can’t wait — so glad it finally came out.
What Reuters “forgot” to tell you is that the movie was financed by the Mexican government. It’s propaganda designed to support illegal immigration, and financed by the government that profits from that illegal immigration. If you oppose illegal activity, don’t see the movie. Details at my name’s link.
I saw the film at a screening a couple weeks ago… it’s very sweet and it’s most definitely well thought out and crafted. The snooty critics just can’t get past the sappiness (yes, there is plenty but it’s realistic too!) and get past the supposed, implied politics. I don’t think it meant to be political at all… these things have happened to real people and that is how it was showcased.
Well, the dramatic idea is worth exploring. I’ll probably will never get to, or care enough, about seeing the movie…but I hope its worth watching.
Then again, segregation of the Arts is idiotic. I mean, when you have a gun-nut conservative director like John Milius* openly admire Spike Lee’s work…there is hope for solidarity across ideological lines for the arts.
*=Same guy who was influenced by THE BATTLE OF ALGIERS, shot by the communist Gillo Pontecorvo, when he made the infamous anti-commie movie RED DAWN.