LA AMERICANA
Oregon Premiere!
Directed by Nicholas Bruckman
United States/Bolivia, 65 Minutes, English & Spanish with English Subtitles
Documentary/Foreign
SAT APR 18, 12:30pm; SUN APR 19, 1:00pm
La Americana is an intimate documentary following an undocumented immigrant's journey from Bolivia to New York City and back as she struggles to save the life of her ailing daughter. Her unforgettable story is woven into the current immigration crisis in the United States, putting a human face on this timely and controversial issue. Maria del Carmen Rojas, a young single mother, faces a life-changing catastrophe when her nine year-old daughter Carla is in an accident which leaves her in a wheelchair. Her opportunities to cover the insurmountable medical expenses in Bolivia are scarce, so Carmen chooses to leave her daughter behind with family and risk the dangerous trip to illegally cross the border into the U.S. Through interviews, reenactments and a sweeping cinema-verité narrative, this gripping film shines a spotlight on the political and personal tribulations that immigrants are forced to overcome in order to provide a better life for themselves and their families.
Filmography: First Feature
Awards: Austin International Film Festival of the Americas' Audience Award & Jury Award, Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival's Special Mention, New York Latino Film Festival's Best Documentary Film, Urbanworld Film Festival's Documentary Prize, Cine Las Americas Film Festival's Jury Prize
