Death on a Friendly Border

A film by Rachel Antell

The border that runs between Tijuana and San Diego is the most heavily militarized border between "friendly" countries anywhere in the world. Since 1994 when the U.S. instituted Operation Gatekeeper, an average of one person a day has died crossing into the U.S. The policy has been condemned by the UN Commissioner of Human Rights, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

This poignant film puts a human face on a tragedy that occurs daily. First we visit a small village in Oaxaca where more than half the men have emigrated to the United States to send money home. From here we follow the story of one young woman who made the journey to follow her husband, but died of dehydration in the desert. Then the film goes to Tijuana where thousands of people have desperately attempted the crossing, only to be thrown back. We learn of the hardships imposed by heat and thirst and abusive border guards. Finally, we hear first hand from a border guard, a human rights activist, and a citizen who actually goes into the desert each weekend to provide water for the fugitives.

This is a memorable portrait of people who risk everything to come to "the land of plenty" --- and often lose this gamble.

26 min. Video or DVD. Sale $250. Video rental $55.

Indie Memphis Film Festival, 2002
Doubletake Film Festival, 2002
Brooklyn International Film Festival, 2002
Slamdance Film Festival, 2002
San Francisco Latino Film Festival, 2001
Havana Film Festival, 2001

"This film effectively examines the reasons for illegal immigration, and exposes the extreme measures taken by the border Patrol to stop it. Highly recommended." Thomas J. Beck, Auraria Library, Univ. of Colorado at Denver Educational Media Reviews Online