Documented

The plight of people in the U.S. who are described as either illegal aliens or undocumented immigrants—depending on one's point of view—receives highly personal treatment in this film by Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who revealed in 2011 that he was one of the estimated 11 million “illegals” in the country, having been sent by his mother from his native Philippines in 1993 at the age of 12 to live with his grandparents, who had legally settled in California years earlier. Vargas's admission caused him some difficulty—he lost his driver's license, and could not leave the country due to the likelihood that he would not be readmitted—but his intent was to become a voice for immigration reform, particularly in support of the “dreamers” who were brought to the U.S. as children and have lived here most of their lives. Vargas is seen appearing as a witness before a congressional committee, and he wears a protest sign at a Mitt Romney rally. But while Documented is designed to be a political activism piece, its most potent elements are actually the sketches of Vargas's youth and relationships—both with his grandparents (who were understandably concerned when he outed himself), and especially with his estranged mother, who becomes a major figure during a poignant reunion via Skype that is more powerful than much of the other material. A strong optional purchase. [Note: this is also available with public performance rights for $200: public libraries; $500: colleges & universities from Tugg, http://licenses.tugg.com.] Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)