Javier moved to California from Mexico City when he was 5-years-old, but still doesn’t enjoy the same rights as other men his age.’
Javier is now an 18-year-old undocumented student.’ Not only must he walk to school, but he can’t depend on any financial aid or scholarships.’ Eventually he would like to attend medical school, but knows he can’t even apply.’
‘No one knows about people in my situation,’ Javier said.
People in Javier’s situation must find alternate means and forms of support.’ Although his parents pay for his tuition, hundreds are forced to work under the table to fund their education.’ However, Javier found support and encouragement through Dreams to be
Heard, a campus organization dedicated to advocating and forming a network of undocumented students.’
Dreams to be Heard is currently working with Maya Entertainment to help fund their education by collecting ticket stubs from the opening weekend of ‘Sleep Dealer,’ which starts this Friday.’ After collecting these ticket stubs, 30 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Dreams to be Heard in lieu of a scholarship.
Laura Palomares is a grass roots community organizer for the movie.’ Although it is a science fiction film, she describes it as portraying a potential future that can occur ‘five minutes, to five years from now.”
The movie centers on the issue of border militarism and the complete closing of the borders. The film seeks to answer the question of what will happen if absolutely no one was allowed to cross our borders.’
‘People assume immigrants are only taking,’ Palomares said in reference to the perception of how much they contribute to society.
Who will do all the jobs, particularly the less glamorous ones, immigrants currently work, she said.
In ‘Sleep Dealer,’ the American Dream still exists, but only through a digital world.’ Laborers in Mexico and other countries linked to machines that mimic their actions on the other side of the border literally do the work.’ If the workers fall asleep at any point during their 12-hour workday the system shocks their nervous system.
Another theme in the film deals with water privatization.’ Palomares mentions that after oil, water is our next most valuable resource. Currently in parts of Chile, water is private property and not a public resource.’
Palomares hopes people who watch the film will, ‘see the future world through the eyes of an immigrant, how would the world be with out my privileges.’
She wants people to not just be observers, but also become activists.’ She says we need to make a change from within and wants people to, ‘Be empowered to do something, not compromise.”
‘The immigration debate is a touchy subject, you’re either for it or against it,’ said Pedro, president of Dreams to be Heard. ‘This movie will go beyond what Hollywood demands.’
‘Sleep Dealer,’ is rated PG-13 and not rated R, which will allow Noris, undocumented students and members of Dreams to be Heard, without identification to see the movie this weekend, have conversations with people and spread the word of mouth.’
