**Empathizing with Migrants**
**By Roberto A. Partida Sandoval**
**September 9, 2024**
Surrounded by hundreds of migrants, activists, and members of migrant shelters in Northwestern Mexico, filmmaker Anike Tourse showcased her movie “America’s Family” at the boundary between Mexico and the United States in Playas de Tijuana.
With the lighthouse and waves as a backdrop and the rusted border wall as a key location in the film, the evening was lit up by the story of the Díaz family. On Thanksgiving, their home is raided by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), leading to the mother’s arrest, the father’s refuge in a synagogue, and the eldest son’s deportation to Tijuana.
“I tried to make this movie for 23 years. I grew up in the northern U.S., but when I moved to Los Angeles, my first friends were undocumented families. We had many conversations about their experiences and what it meant to hear the name ‘Trump’,” said Anike Tourse. “During the filmmaking process, I spoke with many immigrants and found they are very open about their stories, strong, and that the community remains united despite families being separated by deportation.”
In an interview, the actress and director explained that “America’s Family” is a labor of love created with professional artists, activists, and community members who can speak various languages. However, “we all speak the universal language of love,” she added. “The film aims to highlight the empathy for undocumented and migrant families, their struggles, unity, and the importance of raising our voices. We need to fight for our human rights, especially now when we have an open wound that hasn’t healed.”
Tourse expressed mixed feelings about the film’s reception in Tijuana: “It was incredible to see the viewers in Tijuana feel like their story was being told. However, it was disappointing to see the unfulfilled promises from the Tijuana government to facilitate the film screening and transport migrants to Playas de Tijuana. On the other hand, the support in Oaxaca and Afro-descendant communities was wonderful.”
“America’s Family” sheds light on family separations, their repercussions, and how these experiences can be shared globally through social media campaigns. The film follows the Díaz family members as they navigate their crisis, discovering unexpected acts of love, faith, and resilience from the community.
The cast includes Anike Tourse, Jailene Arias, Emanuel López Alonso, Ricardo Cisneros, Mauricio Mendoza, Angie Kim, Aida Rodríguez, Baltimore Beltrán, and Ulises Chávez. The film has support from Casa del Migrante, Espacio Migrante, and Chirla. Upcoming screenings are scheduled for Tapachula (Chiapas), Mexico City, Puerto Escondido, Zicatela, and Vicente Guerrero Saldaña (Oaxaca). The film is also available on Apple TV.
**Related Articles**
**Migrants’ Struggles Highlighted by New Documentaries**
September 9, 2024
Recently, other documentaries focusing on migrant experiences have gained attention. One such film is “Border Stories,” which captures the personal accounts of families separated by immigration policies. The documentary emphasizes the emotional and psychological impacts on children and their adaptation to new environments.
“It’s crucial for these stories to reach a wider audience,” said the director of “Border Stories.” Many organizations are now collaborating to ensure that such films are screened in schools, community centers, and public forums, prompting discussions on immigration policies and human rights.
As awareness grows, there’s hope that empathy and understanding will lead to more inclusive policies that respect the dignity and rights of migrant families everywhere.
For more updates and stories, stay tuned to TJGringo.com.