Cochise County, USA: Cries from the Border

The heated national debate over illegal immigrants makes the arrival of this documentary (completed in August 2005) timely indeed. Unfortunately, while the film's promotional material promises a “balanced exploration” of the issue as seen through its effects on a small Arizona border town, the place is also identified as “Ground Zero for the undocumented alien invasion.” Some balance! Filmmaker Mercedes Maharis cobbles together an amateurish mess of talking head interviews featuring local politicians, Border Patrol officers, and vigilante groups, all of whom spout the same refrain: illegal aliens are ruining the country. Strangely, no one seems to comment on the conspicuous fact that existing law enforcement officers assigned to this task have utterly failed in their duties—if everyone knows where the illegals are coming from, why isn't anyone at that spot stopping the influx? Avoiding tough questions, Cochise County, USA: Cries from the Border plays like an overly ambitious home movie shot by someone who has watched too much Fox News. In fact, the DVD jacket warning—“this film may be inappropriate for children or sensitive viewers”—is far more accurate than it means to be. Not recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)