“Documented” documents illegal immigration in America

Photo by Ysabel Cacho

When “Documented” screened at the Savannah Film Festival, it took audiences on an emotional rollercoaster. The writer and director, Jose Antonio Vargas, sprinkles in some humor on the very touchy subject of immigration, but at the same time doesn’t distract audiences from the struggles he and millions of others face as illegal immigrants.

Vargas left the Philippines and his mother behind at the age of 12 to live with his grandparents in Los Angeles for what everyone believed would be a better life. At first they were right: at school, Vargas excelled in many different subjects and made many friends.

He found out he was illegal at the age of 16. After that, things changed for Vargas and he became reclusive, not wanting to share this bit of information with even the closest of friends. When he discovered journalism, he decided to “come out.” From then on, nothing was left unsaid. In the documentary, Vargas is open about everything.

In “Documented,” Vargas travels all over the country and speaks about immigration on behalf of the millions of other illegal immigrants.

He is smart, passionate, funny and surprisingly polite. During one his interviews, which was held in an outdoor restaurant, he was interrupted by a drunk contractor who told him to “get your papers or get your ass home.” Vargas calmly and politely told him off. The conversation ended with hands being shaken rather than thrown at each other.

Vargas’s mother is seen much later on in the film but plays a crucial role nonetheless. Ever since the beginning, her name and face have been brought up countless times.

Vargas has not seen his mother ever since he left Manila more than 20 years ago and his last contact with her was back in 1997. He decides to film himself making his first video chat with her. The more the video call rings, the more anxiety is built up in the room. As soon as his mother picks up, there are tears everywhere. He tells her how scared he is and she can do nothing but sit and hold her computer screen, which is the closest thing she will get to holding her son.

Audiences will leave with more empathy, more understanding and an overwhelming desire to call their mothers afterwards.