Geronimo Mendoza Sanchez came to the United States in 1986 as an "illegal alien," not knowing a word of English. He worked by day and went to school by night, learned English, and sent money home to Mexico. Geronimo shares the same dreams and goals a many Mexicans have who come to the U.S.
Geronimo: His Story is an intimate portrayal of what it's like to be an "illegal alien." It follows Geronimo, from his United States life in California to his ancestral home in central Mexico. His village, like hundreds in Mexico, is transforming due to the high rate of migration to the United States. Of the village's 1,500 people, aproximately half have left. Almost all have migrated to the same location, Santa Cruz, California.
Geronimo is like many others in his town, with the exception that he is the only person from his village to seek a college education in the United States. His hope is that he will someday be equipped with the tools he needs to help his dying town. This documentary puts a human face on the border problem between the U.S. and Mexico.

"In a compelling and sensitive fashion, the film shows the truth behind the stereotypes of Mexican immigrant workers."
Prof. Richard P. Appelbaum, Sociology, UC Santa Barbara

Mill Valley Film Festival, 1996
Rochester Film Festival, 1996
Chicago Latino Film Festival, 1997
Southwest Council on Latin American Studies, 1997
San Antonio CINEFEST, 1997