Miguel has been living in New York since his teens. His mother and father left him and his infant sister with their grandparents, seeking a living in America. This impacted their life greatly, though they understood why their parents had to make the sacrifice. In a dramatic episode of his life, Miguel sought to cross the border with his father to help make money for the family, only to be separated and deported when border patrol agents caught them. Alone in an unfamiliar part of Mexico with no support and no money, Miguel had little choice but to try crossing again. It’s lonely to be a young immigrant, lonelier still to immigrate alone at 16. The Time of the Fireflies documents Miguel and his family’s lives and struggles, allowing them to tell their powerful story of love and desperation.
The Time of the Fireflies is an outstanding immigration case study. US border patrol actions run against globally accepted laws and protocols concerning those seeking asylum from suffering and economic concerns. Millions of people affected by these laws never get a chance to tell their stories. This documentary shows us the inhumanity of the system through the experiences of Miguel’s family. Miguel talks a lot about the differences in his and his parent’s attitudes: He sees the value in learning English and other educational pursuits to explore more opportunities while his father was happy to speak Spanish with his fellow farm laborers and dishwashers. These generational divides receive a lot of attention throughout The Time of the Fireflies as Miguel’s younger sister speaks to him over the phone or video chat, discussing her education and work life. Anyone interested in learning the personal costs of America’s immigration system will be very interested in viewing this documentary. Highly Recommended.
What type of film series could use this title?
Any series about US immigration would benefit from the addition of The Time of the Fireflies.
What college professors could use this title?
Professors teaching law, human rights, recent history, and film instructors teaching biography would get the most use out of The Time of the Fireflies.
What is the retail price and/or Public Performance License fee?
Limited PPR included with purchase of film; K-12 Classroom, Public Libraries: DVD - $79; K-12 DVD + Digital File - $129; Colleges & Institutions: DVD - $295; Colleges: DVD with Digital Site License - $445