Issues of Identity Tackled in UA Professor's Film "Alma"

Imagine yourself as the parent of an undocumented immigrant, the worry and paranoia that would haunt you every time that child went to school, to work, to play with their friends.

Imagine being plagued with fear, knowing that any day, they could be shipped away from home and all they ever knew... back to a country they barely know.

Now pretend the child doesn't know they're illegal. How would you tell them? When would you tell them, and how could you tell them without them hating you for keeping such a secret?

These are the issues tackled in University of Arizona professor Yuri Makino's short film "Alma."

The film centers around an undocumented family in the SW, with the mother and father trying to control their rebellious teenage daughter (who thinks she was born a US citizen).

When the daughter has a run in with border patrol and barely escapes, her parents are forced to tell her their secret... (that she was not born in the United States and is not a citizen)

Makino has proven herself to be a masterful storyteller, highlighting issues of race, citizenship, personal identity, and growing up, all set against a colorful backdrop of scenic Tucson locales that any local will recognize.

The actors are all very convincing, especially the actress who plays Alma, Carmen Corral and her friend played by Cindy de la Cruz."I still laugh every time when I see it at those endearing funny moments between the two
lead girls," said the films executive director Vicky Westover.


In addition to filming in Tucson, Makino also utilized local media arts faculty, and some UA and Pima Community College film students to work on various aspects of the film.

The films cinematographer is none other than celebrated industry professional Gonzalo Amat, who has worked in the past as a creative producer for HBO.

Makino was awarded a "Best Director Award" at the Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival and the film also received The Ledo Matteoli Award for Best Immigrant Story at the Humboldt Film Festival.

Makino has since revised the script for a full length feature version of the film and is currently pitching it to a number of producers.

With it's strong relevance to the current immigration issue and it's entertaining and thought provoking story line, we can be sure that this isn't the last we'll see of Professor Makino's "Alma."



To watch a trailer for the film, click the following link and then click on the trailer "Alma."