Inocente

A 2012 Oscar-nominee, Inocente casts light on the plight of homeless and undocumented children in America through the story of the extraordinarily talented teenaged painter Inocente Izucar. At the time of filming Izucar was 15, and had lived with her mother and three young brothers in a series of shelters and temporary apartments—moving 30 times in nine years. Through the San Diego nonprofit program ARTS (A Reason To Survive), Izucar found an outlet for her talent, painting large canvases with striking, brightly colored creatures, abstract figures, and landscapes. Husband-and-wife filmmakers Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine follow the artist as she creates 30 new works for an ARTS exhibition, tracing her brush strokes with the camera while also showing the development of her creations from beginning to completion in fast-motion aerial views. In emotional sequences, we learn that Izucar once dissuaded her alcoholic mom from committing suicide, and that an incident of domestic abuse led to her father's deportation years earlier—a “mistake” for which she still blames herself. The story is told primarily through Inocente's words, in voiceovers, and as she faces the camera, her face painted (a daily habit) with abstract designs, talking easily about her family, her art, and her “silly dreams.” Presenting a beautiful and inspiring introduction to an amazing young artist, this 2013 ALA-VRT Notable Video selection is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)