Five Years North

I'm a huge fan of everything Optimist has put out, starting with their documentary Living On One Dollar, which is when they originally met Luis, the main subject of Five Years North. This film is gripping, and truly takes you through the highs and lows of the immigrant experience, from the angle of young Luis to the ICE officer whose background + upbringing is a pretty major reveal. Don't miss it -- add this to your watchlist asap.

A story that will make you question and rethink our immigration system. The stories highlighted in this film not only bring an empathetic lens to the American immigration system but also shows the resilience of immigrants and the Latinx community.

Shows the cost and failures of immigration policy through two people on its opposing ends - riveting!

Once again, filmmakers Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci show us the human side of polarizing political issues. I have long used their previous films, Living on One Dollar and Salam Neighbor, in my writing classes to generate meaningful discussion, and now I'll definitely add Five Years North. Your heart will break for Luis, a young Guatemalan teen with responsibilities well beyond his years. The other side of the issue is humanized by Judy, the ICE agent who must enforce the law. The filmmakers don't preach but give you stories that will make you think twice before you generalize about issues like immigration, poverty, and refugees. Please watch this movie and encourage others to watch it, too.

There's no collective truth anymore, but this film comes close to finding it. It feels nuanced and balanced through years and years of reporting. Can't talk about it without spoiling, but some of the moments and access the filmmakers got are insane.