Coda’s ongoing coverage of the 2024 Phoenix Film Festival & International Horror Sci-Fi Film Festival. I'll be using these posts to recap the films I've experienced as part of these festivals.
At eight months pregnant, Yuri, with her son Santi and her partner Mike join
the first caravan of 7000 migrants fleeing violence that plagues Honduras and
other parts of Central America. Facing a 5000 km journey that ends with the
most strictly defended border in North America, Yuri is determined to have her
baby in the U.S.
“no one leaves home
unless home is the mouth of a shark” – from the poem, “Home”
by Warsan Shire
This documentary was a
lot less like a film and more like a very exclusive and specific piece of video
journalism. If you were looking for something that tackles the subject by
juxtaposing the story with talking head interviews from experts, this is not that.
Likewise, there are no cuts to Fox News personalities, counting down the days
until the caravan reaches the border like a doomsday clock, clutching their
pearls and fearmongering for ratings.
“We have a moral
obligation to admit the world's poor, they tell us, even if it makes our
country poorer and dirtier…” – Tucker Carlson
No, we’ve all seen and
heard this tired diatribe enough. To this film’s exceptional credit, it takes
an entirely different approach. We just spend time with these people. We meet
them where they are. We see their toils, their fears and their struggles. There
is no challenge to identify with them. They are us.
OKIE – Directed by Kate
Cobb
I was impressed with
this film. It was small in scope, but whatever it may have lacked in grandeur,
it makes up for in believability. Every relationship on display feels ‘lived
in’. This is compliments of the well written screenplay and its handling by a
talented cast. The stakes gradually increase with the plot, but I think the
majority of the film’s charm can be found in its margins. It’s just an easy
ensemble to be a part of.
Overall, it remains
light faire, even when it isn’t trying to. And I think I’m glad for that.
OKIE plays again on
Saturday, April 13th at 3:40 PM and Sunday, April 14th at
1:50 PM
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