Customer Reviews

Mojados - Through the Night

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Tommy Davis' first feature-length documentary casts light on a major problem in America today: illegal immigration. It is an economic problem, insofar as the US economy depends upon cheap illegal labor. It is a human rights issue, insofar as thousands die and more suffer every year entering the US in search of a better life. And it is a political problem, insofar as making the borders more, less, or equally porous is opposed by some faction or another.

That what unfolds on screen is illegal, genuinely dangerous, and previously unseen by anyone but those who have made the journey, gives the film the irresistible allure of transgression, risk, and voyeurism. Davis' hushed narration throughout the film conveys the mortal seriousness of the subject. And the music of Sin Panache fits each scene like a glove, giving voice to the emotions along the way.

The news clip toward the end is a masterful touch, highlighting how very common such events are. The impersonal newscast contrasts sharply with the very personal film, as if Davis is criticizing the cold manner in which the issue is normally depicted.

Davis' film is not propaganda, nor is it one-sided, as some xenophobes have claimed. It has won so many awards because it is a timely, heartfelt portrait showing the human face of a previously impersonal political issue. Davis should be commended for bravely highlighting an all too ignored issue - and all the more for doing it so well.

Some might believe that this film is pro immigrant. I'm not so sure I agree with that view. While I respect different opinions on the issue, I believe the director has created a film that is not propaganda or pro one side of the issue or another. Davis simply shows the migrants perspective of illegally immigrating to the United States; the why and the how? I believe the footage and information that Mojados offers is key to understanding the root of the issue, and can't be seen anywhere else. Migrants risk their lives and go through brutal life-threatening terrain to come to the United States and for the most part work hard and contribute to our society and economy. They leave their families behind in order to eventually come back to them with money and hopes for a better life. While the natural result of the film may come off as sympathetic to illegal immigrants, it's based on the fact and humanity of the issue.

Growing up on the Texas border has given Davis a unique perspective from which to tell this story. He brings to the screen a true to life account with no frills, what you see is what you get.

The fact that these Mexican nationals trusted Davis enough to let him accompany them and document their journey is a testament to his commitment. It's not every day a young white guy with a camera asks to tag along on an illegal border crossing.

"Mojados" does a good job of not getting into the political or emotional debates so often associated with illegal imigration. It simply shows the reality of a common situation too often brushed off as some abstract, faceless, illegal act that gets a blurb on the nightly news.

Excellent first film, I look forward to seeing more from Davis.

This movie recounts step by step on what an immigrant does to cross the border and follows them through their journey day and night. The movie shows them as real as a Mexicans are. They had their frustrations of having to leave their families, food(enchiladas), and most importantly their comforts of their homes. I know that among the immigrants you will find a cousin or an uncle, because they are real people with real hearts and jokes too. They are uncertain of what lies beyond with only the desert as their companion and no sense of direction. All of this done with the simple idea of coming here to the U.S. for a short period of time to get a job to send money home and then leave back home. That is all so you really feel for these immigrants, because they come with good intentions but the journey is dangerous and uncertain, so you are praying that they will manage to finish.

Though the film makes an emotional connection that finds you caring about the four "mojados," several editorial choices on the part of the filmmaker, as well as some inconsistent things we're told about the characters, cause me to think this film can't totally be believed.

For one, the filmmaker never identifies himself or his role as he follows the four men on their trek. He is not shown on film, nor does he comment on how many crew members are accompanying the group, and how he and his crew plan to survive. A central concern in the film involves the dwindling supplies of food and clean water among the mojados, but we're not told when or whether the filmmakers will intervene if any of the mojados find themselves in serious trouble. Failure to address this basic issue seemed suspicious, particularly when it was clear that some of the mojados had become severely compromised.

There are other questions: why did the mojados allow themselves to be filmed? A larger group could mean more difficulty staying under the radar. Did they have some incentive for participating (like compensation?) Was there any reason for them to want their stories told, and, if so, why was this not addressed?

Finally, we are told at the beginning of the film that two of the four mojados are experienced crossers, yet only two gallons of water were brought to last all four men for four days--that's one pint per man each day. They also brought perishable foods such as bread and tortillas, which molded just two days after they began.

Here's what I think: the filmmaker wanted to show what the crossing was really like, so he engineered a few things to make a point of how dangerous this endeavor is. However, the film's lack of candor and glaring lack of acknowledgement of things that just didn't make any sense defy the point of a documentary. I would not recommend this to others.

Awesome documentary. I was oblivious to what is really happening on the border. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so we never hear of these stories and tragadies. This was an eye opener for me, to actually follow these men on their journey , putting their lives on the line and there bodies through hell all for the sake of a low paying job to hopefully provide a little better living for there families. I have a whole new outlook on the illegal migrant.If the tables were turned , I know I would cross at the hopes of a better life for my family.

Very interesting. No matter your stance on illegal entries into my country,I oppose them, it is definitely a good watch!

Worth purchasing!

I have never written a review before, but the other reviews for the film are so misleading I felt compelled to write one.

First the topic of the film is one that needs to be exposed and explored in all forms of media and discourse. The problem here is that every person with a video camera or a video cell phone thinks they are a documentary film maker. The camera person for this film clearly knows nothing about tripods or framing a shot. I would really suggest that you take any money you make from the sale of this video and buy a tripod and learn how to use it. I can take shaky, questionable footage when a camera person has to run and gun, but when you have the time to set up a shot, pick the lighting and frame the talent, why are people's heads at the bottom of the screen? The extra footage included with this pressing is some how supposed to make up for the length of the documentary. I found it so painful to watch, I turned it off. I really think it is a shame. The film maker put a lot of time into getting access to some very good opportunities. What I really hate to see are those opportunities lost because a "film maker" doesn't know their craft.

If you are interested in this topic, and I think we all should be, don't waste your money on this video. Try watching Wetbacks (National Geographic) and The 800 Mile Wall. They both cover the topic much better and are done by real documentary film makers who even use tripods.

Given that I once worked a menial job with the director, my review should probably be taken with a grain of salt. Putting that aside for a moment, I'd like to first express my excitement generated by a local kid making good in the film industry. I was certainly pleased to see that an aesthetically pleasing, full-length documentary was well within the capabilities of someone raised in the cultural wasteland that is the Rio Grande Valley.

As for the film itself...I saw it ages ago at a local screening, but I still recall my basic impressions of it. It was enjoyable enough, regardless of who made it. However, I remember feeling that certain scenes and dialogue felt a bit staged. I also thought it would have been better had the filmmaker included himself more directly in the proceedings. The "mojados" had a hard time crossing over, drinking filthy water, etc. But did Davis endure the same hardships? I find it hard to believe that he would, and maybe it doesn't matter either way. I just remember thinking something seemed a bit off. If the fuzz had intervened at any point, what would have happened to Mr. Davis? Perhaps I'm nitpicking. If he truly flew solo in this enterprise (which he must have if he was really joining these men on a covert journey), then he deserves more praise than I could ever bestow upon him. I wondered where he kept all the batteries, tapes, and food/beverage supplies to last him throughout the trip. Maybe some of this is discussed on the DVD...

Finally, I recall feeling that the news footage of the dead, anonymous mojados at the end of the film was a bit manipulative. Were we supposed to feel that these men could possibly have been among the dead? Were we supposed to feel that these unanswered deaths were proof that our country needs to aid Mexican citizens who are trying to enter the USA? Either way, I wasn't convinced. However, the cinematography was pretty good and some of the jokes told by the men were amusing. Davis is obviously a gifted guy with genuine concerns, and I hope his next film will better showcase his abilities.

This movie makes an attempt at showing a the plight of illegal immigrants but when you watch it you are only shown a glimpse of the trouble they cause. They cross through ranches, leaving litter, killing animals, provoking ranchers, causing crime and when they have trouble out there the US Taxpayer is expected to foot the bill. I get that these people are trying to find work (not in all instances) but you can't be overly sympathetic because they have a rotten deal - you have to respect the rights of US citizens. If this movie was going to be fair - they would have show a rancher and his family - show the fear, show the costs!!!