A couple of weeks ago, I attended a private screening of Which Way Home, a documentary directed by Rebecca Cammisa. The film follows several child migrant workers from Central America through Mexico into the United States aboard a freight train, “The Beast.” WWH documents their lone 1,450 mile journey with no money or belongings to find work, missing parents or family members in the United States.

The film tells the stories of child migrants’ dreams to get to “the other side” though not without infinite risks and injuries. Take Olga and Freddy. Originally from Honduras, both were on “The Beast” for days with a coyote (Spanish word used to describe someone smuggling illegal immigrants). At nine years old, both want to join their relatives in Minnesota. Halfway into the journey, they make a stop in Central Mexico. Locals offer food, water, medical assistance, and shelter before they continue. The locals are extremely aware of the risks and advise them to return home. Nonetheless, Olga and Freddy remain hopeful and decide to continue. Unfortunately, no one ever sees them again.

José‘s story is just as powerful. He shares his emotional story of being abandoned by coyotes and then ending up at a Mexican detention center for child migrants. Although only ten years old, José‘s story, filled with fear and hopefulness, is one that I could feel as tears were rolling down my cheeks. He seemed so innocent and fragile. Why would a child have to go through such an extremely dangerous experience? Although many children like him live in terrible conditions back in their native country, it is difficult to witness such a strong desire for a better life that they put their lives in the hands of strangers and end up in these situations. However, this is the only hope for them. Fortunately, José gets help at the detention center and is one of the few children to safely return home.

We also see Kevin, a streetwise 14-year-old Honduran and his friend, Filo, who is also the same age. At fourteen, both have always planned to travel on “The Beast” to get a better future and hopefully find a family to adopt them once they reach the United States. Although they make it all the way to the border, they are assaulted by robbers who take what little they have. After such an experience, Filo decides to return and is hopeful that Kevin will do the same. Kevin decides to keep going, since he has already made it that far. In his attempt to cross the border, Kevin makes it into the US, but is detained at the border by immigration, who send him to a detention center for deportation.

Once home, Kevin experiences the same maltreatment by his stepfather that he tried to escape. He feels unwanted and the lack of money makes him decide to try again. Filo shares his feelings and so they start to plan another journey for later in the year.

Watching Which Way Home touched not only my heart but my soul. It brought me back to reality. Most importantly, it reminded me of all the wonderful opportunities that we tend to forget. Which Way Home is definitely a strong documentary and also one that I hope you can check out.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgaPU9rzTHQ&feature=related[/youtube]

Author: Paola Bravo