Alma Velasco is originally from El Salvador but now lives and works legally in the United States. This short documentary follows her and hears about her experiences, her feelings and her hopes for the next generation. As such the film has a nice sense to it which contrasts with the common message we hear about American immigration. Instead of being the oft-sold image of illegals coming across to somehow claim their fortune in benefits, Alma fled a war zone for the safety of the US, eventually getting legal status and now, through hard work and acceptance, she works to ensure that the lives of her children are better.
The message of the film is very clear; that this is the American dream; Alma is someone who continues to work hard for what little she has, and mostly is focused on the next generation rather than herself – it is a story that would have flags, eagles and Mitch McConnell all over it were it a white woman in Iowa, but in this case it is someone who came to the US illegally. As such it is an inspirational story and is an example of the spirit that one generally associates with North America (whether it is true or not). Unfortunately, while it is not a problem that the film is this way, it is a problem that the film knows it.
The soundtrack is a constantly 'light, inspirational' tone and it generally pushes the content of the film too quickly and to be too much. For me Alma herself did more than enough, I didn't need the film pushing me so hard to take inspiration from the story and the film – but it does. This is a weakness; perhaps for US viewers this sense of optimism and inspiration in the delivery will work better; but for me from my own culture these are less common qualities and in this case it did feel like the film was forcing them on me.
Still the film is professionally made and has a great subject in Alma, but it is the tone it sets for itself that didn't work for me.
The message of the film is very clear; that this is the American dream; Alma is someone who continues to work hard for what little she has, and mostly is focused on the next generation rather than herself – it is a story that would have flags, eagles and Mitch McConnell all over it were it a white woman in Iowa, but in this case it is someone who came to the US illegally. As such it is an inspirational story and is an example of the spirit that one generally associates with North America (whether it is true or not). Unfortunately, while it is not a problem that the film is this way, it is a problem that the film knows it.
The soundtrack is a constantly 'light, inspirational' tone and it generally pushes the content of the film too quickly and to be too much. For me Alma herself did more than enough, I didn't need the film pushing me so hard to take inspiration from the story and the film – but it does. This is a weakness; perhaps for US viewers this sense of optimism and inspiration in the delivery will work better; but for me from my own culture these are less common qualities and in this case it did feel like the film was forcing them on me.
Still the film is professionally made and has a great subject in Alma, but it is the tone it sets for itself that didn't work for me.
