Palomar College debuted the world premiere of, "Border Peace/Pieza
Fronteriza," a documentary made by one of the college's professors.
More than 200 people were in the audience, exceeding the room's seating
capacity. Viewers kept coming in and stood to watch the film at its premiere
on March 9.
The director, Multicultural Studies Professor Carlos von Son said he wanted
the public to have easy access to the documentary. The problems immigrants
experience when they come to the United States and the reason why they come
here were the themes of the film. Von Son said he felt it was an important
issue that needed to be shared.
Students, staff members, faculty members and community members watched the
film March 9.
"It was a very stimulating environment," said Jon Valdez, multicultural
studies department chairman.
Paraguayan Harp player Jose Smith greeted the audience with live music.
Palomar College student Daniel Medvedev also played contemporary Spanish songs
on his guitar before the film.
"It's good that people are interested," said Paolo Oropeza, co-president of
Palomar's chapter of MEChA.
The film documented the responses from North County and San Diego County
residents to last year's controversial HR-4437, a federal bill making
undocumented workers subject to criminal prosecution.
"It reflected controversial environment and tumultuous behavior," Valdez said.
Von Son and his brother produced the film. Von Son said it took a year of
filming and three months of editing to complete the documentary. Producers
dubbed the documentary a "docullage" - a documentary structured as a video
collage.
"I thought it was great - a very good view on the movement," Oropeza said
The audience gave a standing ovation at the end of the film.
"It seemed as we were one," student Providencia Gonzalez said.
Von Son said it was a response the filmmakers hoped to get.
"I was amazed people were so engaged in it," he said.
The film's view is very simplistic, Valdez said, and it shows both sides of
the issue. Oropeza said there was no right or wrong in the film, only an
explanation on why people have migrated to the United States.
"Sometimes a neutral picture is better than something opinionated," Medvedev
said.
Audience members stayed an hour after the end of the film and asked
questions and listened to well-known immigrant rights activists.
Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels, attended the premiere. He was
featured in the film. Border Angels is an organization that consists of
volunteers who want to stop the deaths of individuals traveling through the
Imperial Valley desert and surrounding mountains in San Diego County, as
well as areas located around the U.S.-Mexico border.
"The movement continues," Morones said. "It's up to you guys."
Escondido activist, Daniel Perez, said Border Angels saved his life when he
crossed the desert with his brother. Perez thanked Morones and called him
his hero. Perez also encouraged the audience to help voiceless immigrants in
a non-violent manner.
"We have to take care of everybody," Perez said.
Von Son ended the event by thanking the audience and everyone who helped
him.
He thanked Palomar College for their permission to debut "Border Peace/Pieza
Fronteriza."