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Bracero Stories is a bi-lingual video documentary exploring the personal experiences of five former “guest workers” who participated in the controversial U.S./Mexican government program granting temporary work contracts to several million Mexican laborers between 1942 and 1964.
Reminiscences by the “Braceros” are interwoven with archival materials, forming a composite history of the Bracero experience. Though many of their stories detail the hardships encountered in the program, Braceros generally consider the experience a valuable one, and their recollections invariably convey a great sense of dignity. One rarely gets the feeling that they felt like “victims,” but that they were merely doing what had to be done under difficult economic circumstances. This collective portrait also reveals the considerable pride that former Braceros still feel regarding their important contribution to U.S. society.
Discussions in the media, past and present, generally represent the opinions of government and corporate policy makers, seldom focusing on the lived experience of the workers. By focusing on the their perspective, the film offers a little-known human story that remains vitally relevant to this day.
Juxtaposed with the personal recollections, interviews with other participants in the historic program assess the program’s effectiveness—and its justness, mirroring contemporary concerns about illegal immigration and the possible implementation of a new guest worker program. Ultimately, the film seeks to put a personal face on the concept of foreign “guest worker.”
Festivals/Screenings
The Tulipanes Latino Art and Film Festival
Holland, Michigan September, 2008 Best Social Justice Film
University of Texas El Paso Union Cinema September, 2008
Presented by the UTEP Department of Communication and the UTEP Chicano Studies Program, as part of the 2008 Hispanic Heritage schedule of events.
The Long Island Latino International Film Festival
the Charles B. Wang Center, Stony Brook, NY September, 2008
The Cine Sol Latino Film Festival Cine El Rey
McAllen, Texas September, 2008 “Audience Award for Best Documentary” at the
McAllen Art & Film Festival 2008
International Latino Film Festival—San Francisco Bay Area
Brava Theatre, 24th and Harrison (the Mission) and MACLA, 510 South First St., San Jose, CA, November, 2008
Cine Sin Fin 14th Annual Chicano Film Festival
Casa de Sousa, Historic Placita Olvera in downtown Los Angeles. November, 2008 Jon Alonzo Award for Cinematography
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Braceros workers on the Railroad. Photo courtesy Institute of Oral History, University of Texas El Paso
Bracero identification papers. Photo courtesy Institute of Oral History, University of Texas El Paso.
