Greetings again from the darkness. A documentary with no interviews or narration is rare. The soundtrack that guides us through Paloma Martinez's film are the recordings of actual phone calls to the San Francisco Rapid Response Network. If you've never heard of it, you aren't alone; yet, it's a vital lifeline for so many undocumented folks.
This really isn't the story of the volunteers who handle phone calls 24/7, nor is it any type of solution for the immigration issue in the United States. Instead, it's 12 minutes of insight into the real world of fear and hatred on a hotly debated topic.
The purpose of the network is to provide quick legal support for undocumented folks caught up in raids by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). It even acts as an early warning sign at times. The network is also the target of regular harassment calls from those who want to tie up the lines, thereby preventing assistance. Ms. Martinez has found a new approach to highlighting the issue and educating us on this most divisive topic.
This really isn't the story of the volunteers who handle phone calls 24/7, nor is it any type of solution for the immigration issue in the United States. Instead, it's 12 minutes of insight into the real world of fear and hatred on a hotly debated topic.
The purpose of the network is to provide quick legal support for undocumented folks caught up in raids by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). It even acts as an early warning sign at times. The network is also the target of regular harassment calls from those who want to tie up the lines, thereby preventing assistance. Ms. Martinez has found a new approach to highlighting the issue and educating us on this most divisive topic.