Published: October 27, 2006 11:29 pm      

Documentary about immigration’s effect on Goshen, Mexican town to premiere Nov. 9

Goshen, Ind — While the city of Goshen has grown used to film crews, with three movies shot here in the past couple of years, a different kind of video has recently been produced.

Instead of using big-name actors, this documentary features the people of Goshen, including Mayor Allan Kauffman, state and local lawmakers, and community residents with varying views on and experiences related to immigration from Mexico.

“Fuerza,” a documentary focusing on Mexican immigration to the Elkhart County area, will be premiering Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Goshen Theater in downtown Goshen. Doors will open at 7 p.m., with music from the Chicago-based group Subatomico. The film is free and open to the public. A question-and-answer time will follow the showing.

The documentary examines the realities of the effect of immigration on two small cities: Goshen, Ind., and Apan, Hidalgo, Mexico.

“We realized that immigration is usually seen as a political issue,” said James Weber, a Goshen College student and one of the film’s creator’s. “But when we looked into the issue, it was more about individuals, and about money. We hope to show that aspect of the issue.”

Apan is a “feeder” city for Goshen, meaning that many people emigrating from Apan come to Goshen because of other family and friends already established in the area. “Fuerza” explores this connection, and shows how each city relies on the other in some way. Filming for the documentary took place in Elkhart County, Apan and along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The film is subtitled in both English and Spanish. Translators will also be available at the showings for the question-and-answer time.

Additional showings are planned for the following dates: Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at Goshen College in the Administration Building, Room 28 (geared toward churches and educators), and Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Goshen College Umble Center. All showings are free and open to the public.

“Fuerza” is the result of a student video documentary competition held by the Goshen College Peace and Justice Journalism Program, which is funded by Plowshares Peace Studies Project. The winner of the contest was Soluz Films, a group of four students from Goshen College: graduate Katrina Dyck (Thomasboro, Ill.), junior David Martinez (Goshen), sophomore Ben Noll (Lancaster, Pa.) and junior James Weber (Reading, Pa.).