2002 Great Lakes Independent Film Festival

Beyond The Border

Category: Documentary Feature  56min 40sec
Director: Ari Palos

Over the past decade, thousands of Latinos seeking better possibilities have begun migrating to Midwestern states like Kentucky, with its low-paying jobs in the tobacco, manufacturing and horseracing industries. But as these Latino communities have swelled, so too has the xenophobia and discrimination facing them. Beyond the Border, with tenderness and beauty, follows the immigrant experience with Marcelo Ayala, who leaves his family on a risky journey to the United States. We begin to understand his decision to leave Mexico with the insights of his brothers, who before him, have each made the same journey. Horacio Ayala, has been in the US for a couple of years. He yearns to return to Mexico. Juan, the anchor of the brothers, has managed to realize his dream of a family and stable job in the United States, all the while missing the joy of being with his family in Mexico.

Gonzalo, the oldest, has seen his life unravel, with broken marriages, jail time and a constant battle with alcoholism. Beyond the Border rounds out immigration's effect on family in Marcelo's home town of Michoacan, Mexico. Marcial and Carmen, his parents, still toil for what little money they can earn in the depressed economy. The sisters Lupe and Carmen, would like to immigrate to the US, but have remained behind with their Mexican husbands. Finally, Elena, the youngest, dreams of an education, to gain income for the family. This program illustrates we all have families somewhere, including, Beyond the Border. 

Director: Ari Palos
Director and Cine-videographer Ari Luis Palos' recent credits include KIT KAT a mythical children's narrative of a young girl's race to save her
father's soul, and IMPRESARIO which follows African-American opera star Everett McCorvey who brings the glorious sound of the operatic voice and the Negro Spiritual to the world.  Palos is currently in production of JUCHITAN, a documentary including the romantic music, the politically and economically powerful women, and the cross dressing 'Lady Boys', of the Isthmus of Oaxaca, México.