Eva Lewis’ harrowing documentary Undeterred is an educational film that elucidates the reality of border communities in the U.S. through personal accounts of residents and on-the-ground footage. The uglier side of America’s border security policies and behaviors are laid bare. This documentary takes a humanitarian approach, giving voice to those affected by these policies — both citizens and migrants.
The bulk of the film centers on the small town of Arivaca, AZ which is 11 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. Shots of the natural beauty of the region juxtaposed with images of armed soldiers and checkpoints make for an impactful visual of the ever-present tensions in these border communities. The anxiety and outright fear of the residents are palpable as they narrate how it feels to have to go through a checkpoint any time they wish to leave or return to the town they call home.
The U.S. border patrol considers itself by its own admission as a paramilitary force outside the bounds of the Constitution. Agents face little consequence for their actions, as evidenced by the video footage of them harassing and assaulting residents at checkpoints. A disproportionate number of those mistreated residents are Hispanic.
The documentary also delves into the plight of migrants making the dangerous border crossing. Residents share stories of finding ill migrants at their door and discovering the bodies of those who didn’t survive the crossing. The amount of compassion and grit the residents show is impressive as they take matters into their own hands by campaigning for the removal of checkpoints, doing civilian monitoring of the border patrol’s interactions, and setting up humanitarian aid for migrants crossing the border.
It’s hard to imagine the trauma of living in these regions full of checkpoints, patrols, and death, but it’s not only a humanitarian issue for border community residents. The documentary compellingly lays out the reasons we should all be concerned about policies around border control and how the rights of U.S. citizens could be at stake throughout the country as “borders” move inward.
Eva Lewis’ educational film is informative, interesting, and necessary. While it centers on personal accounts and lived experience, it backs up these stories with evidence and provides historical context for border security in the U.S. Balancing facts and emotions, Undeterred is a documentary worth a watch. Excellent, Highly Recommended for academic film collections.
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What academic subjects would this film be suitable for?
Government, Political Science, Sociology, Development Studies, Philosophy, Migration Studies, Social Studies.
What subjects or college majors would benefit from the content covered in this film?
Political Science, Philosophy, Sociology, Development Studies, Social Sciences.
What kind of film series would this documentary fit in?
Social Issues, Stories of Migration, Social Movements, Grassroots Movements, Politics of Migration, Racial Issues, Human Rights.