Immigration DVDs

Dying to Live: A Migrant’s Journey

Available in OUA Library (1 copy)

Running time: 33 minutes

Available for purchase ($25 donation) from:

Center for Latino Spirituality and Culture
250B McKenna Hall
Notre Dame, IN 46556

Ph: 574/631-3233
Fax: 574/631-8221
E-mail: latino@nd.edu

Website: http://dyingtolive.nd.edu/ - a downloadable reflection guide is available.

Interviews with Executive Producer and six other participating scholars

Chapter access to facilitate use in discussion groups

Immigration is a complex issue that is changing the face of cultures worldwide. In the United States, it is often a controversial issue with many social, economic, political and even religious implications. In the midst of the debate, what often gets lost are the human issues at stake.

"Dying to Live" is a profound look at the human face of the immigrant. It explores who these people are, why they leave their homes and what they face in their journey. Drawing on the insights of Pulitzer Prize winning photographers, theologians, Church and congressional leaders, activists, musicians and the immigrants themselves, this film exposes the places of conflict, pain and hope along the US-Mexico border. It is a reflection on the human struggle for a more dignified life and the search to find God in the midst of that struggle.

The Invisible Chapel

Available in OUA Library (1 copy)

Running Time: 31 min (DVD Interviews: 24 min)

Available ($20) from:

Gatekeeper Productions Inc.

8484 Harold Way

Los Angeles, CA 90069

323-656-1619

www.gatekeeperproductions.com

Award winning filmmaker, John Carlos Frey, together with Fr. Daniel Groody, csc of the University of Notre Dame capture an enduring story of true faith and perseverance pitted against the fear and heated debate on immigration in his latest documentary film entitled, The Invisible Chapel.

For over twenty years a migrant chapel remained invisible to the wealthy residents of a San Diego, CA neighborhood. The chapel, made of concrete, tile and wood complete with benches for seating was nestled in a hidden canyon obscured from view by the cover of brush and trees. Every Sunday parish volunteers provided humanitarian assistance and held a Church service for over one hundred impoverished agricultural, construction and service industry workers from Mexico. Some nearby neighbors, along with the San Diego Minutemen and a San Diego Radio Talk Show host clashed with the mostly undocumented immigrant congregation. The ensuing conflict forced the migrants and volunteers out of their sacred space of twenty years and ultimately caused the destruction of their place of worship.

Strangers No Longer

Available in OUA Library (2 copies)

Running Time: 16 or 22 minutes (DVD Interviews: 24 min)

Available ($10) from: USCCB www.usccbpublishing.org/

Possibly viewable from http://www.groodyriverfilms.com/strangers.html

This documentary puts contemporary immigration in the context of American history and shows how Churches in the United States are welcoming new members from different cultures and backgrounds.

The film was produced by Fr. Daniel Groody, CSC, in collaboration with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Groody River Films.

The film has Spanish subtitles and also includes a discussion guide (in English and Spanish). Both versions are on one DVD in order to meet your presentation needs. The discussion guide is downloadable from: http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/files/StrangersNoLonger-DiscussionGuide.pdf

Strangers No Longer invites us to open our hearts and minds and identify with today's immigrants.

Available from USCCB or Notre Dame

The Line in the Sand: Stories from the US/Mexico Border

Available in OUA Library (1 copy)

Running time: one hour

Available (for a donation) from Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

The Line in the Sand uses the power of theater to tell the personal stories of people affected by U.S./Mexico border migration. Through an hour-long collection of monologues and photos, audiences are exposed to a variety of points of view on this complex and critical issue.

In August of 2005, Catholic Relief Services sent a team of writers and actors to the Arizona-Mexico border to study migration. Working with CRS' Mexico office, the group conducted interviews with migrants, ranchers, Mexican and U.S. government officials, diocesan staff, and others, and turned those interviews into a powerful stage performance and now a new DVD.

The Line in the Sand dramatically shares the stories of those they met.

Special Features include:

Interview with Erica Dahl-Bredine from CRS/Mexico

Photos Behind The Line in the Sand

Discussion Questions

The Invisible Mexicans of Deer Canyon

Gatekeeper Productions (www.gatekeeperproductions.com)

Running time: 1 hour, 13 minutes

Not in OUA library collection

Available from Gatekeeper Productions ($20)

John Carlos Frey spent over a year visiting and living amongst the migrants of Deer Canyon. He traveled alone carrying all of his sound, camera and lighting equipment. Many of the migrants were initially reluctant to talk to Mr. Frey. As his trips to the canyon became more frequent, the migrants began to trust and invite him into their homes for a personal look at their lives.

Immigration Videos

The Ties That Bind

Maryknoll Productions

Running Time: 56 minutes

Available at OUA (one copy in English)

Available from Maryknoll (www.maryknollmall.org/) ($14.95) in English or Spanish

Study guide can be downloaded from the website

“Looks at the human drama behind the current debate over US immigration policy. The one-hour program roams both sides of the Texas-Mexico border to present the human face of immigrants and their families.”

Produced in 1996, the video is a little dated, for instance, discussion of the maquiladoras with their labor conditions and effect on US markets. Since then many of the maquiladoras have moved to China, taking their low-paying jobs with them. Things are worse now in border towns than ten years ago.

The video gives some historical perspective and does give immigration a human face. It documents immigrants’ struggles and successes, the triumph of the human spirit.

Many Faces in God’s House

USCCB Productions

Running Time: 17 minutes

Available at OUA (one copy in English)

Available from USCCB (www.usccbpublishing.org/) ($17.95) in English

Study guide can be downloaded from the website

“This colorful and inspiring video leads viewers on a journey of discovery to the many hidden riches present within our culturally diverse communities. In on-camera interviews, parish, diocesan, and national leaders share their insights on how to bring unity out of diversity, rejoicing in our different languages and cultures yet proclaiming the same faith and one reign of God. Ideal for use by parishes and dioceses to open dialogues and train leaders in multicultural ministry. Closed caption.”