Film Treatment

Premise

The issues facing a group of Day Laborers in Oakland California provides an example of how often it is not politically expedient to address complex issues. Is it morally or ethically wrong to allow a group of men to suffer simply because the letter of the law states that they are not entitled to assistance? Is it possible to enforce legally established immigration policies and at the same time economically benefit from the labor of undocumented workers? Is it ethically wrong to legally enact laws that directly cause hardship on a population that simply desires to work?

Treatment

"Abriendo Los Ojos" will be a thirty minute documentary made with the intent of showing how a group of Day Laborers or Jornaleros in the Fruitvale district of Oakland California are organizing themselves and attempting to bring about political and social change.

The documentary will briefly investigate the history of migrant and undocumented labor in the United States. The Bracero Program established during WWII which used Mexican workers to supplement the depleted US work force will be explored. Has the United States benefited economically from having a shadow workforce? The agricultural benefits in California will be explored.

The documentary will profile a key member of the activist group, Carlos Mares, who will present his vision and goals for the Jornaleros. He will also provide background information about himself and other Jornaleros, describing their struggle to reach Oakland California and the battle they faced once arriving. Several local activists will also describe the history of the area and the changes that have directly affected this group.

The documentary will also explore attempts by local government to address the problems facing the Fruitvale neighborhood and the Jornaleros by enacting laws that do not directly address the needs or legality of the plight of the Jornaleros but simply force the Jornaleros to be "out of site" thereby being "out of mind".

Specific needs and plans will be examined. The philosophy behind the goals will be examined. The documentary will examine current successful models in other parts of the country (Los Angeles & Maryland). The documentary will also chronicle the attempts of the Fruitvale Jornaleros to align themselves with other Day Laborer groups around the country (NDLON).

Jackleg Productions