Immigration Documentary Searching For Funding To Finish Film

For several years filmmaker Christian Rodriguez has studied the issue of immigration from Mexico to the U.S., in hopes of creating one of the most “comprehensive investigative documentaries about immigration policy”, “The Forgotten Class”.

To make the film, Rodriguez has spent years examining the topic from both sides of the border, filming pivotal events like the 2006 May Day March, recording interviews from migrant shelters in Mexico, and visiting agricultural fields and labor camps in California among other journeys, piecing together stories from people whose lives have been affected by immigration.

The bilingual documentary, looks at the roots of the issue, the current state of immigration and immigration policy, and where it’s headed in the future. “The Forgotten Class” places emphasis on interviews with immigrants from Mexico in attempts to add humanize the issue, “portraying them as individuals rather than as a collective group.”

On the Kickstarter campaign page for “The Forgotten Class”, Rodriguez states why he felt it necessary to create the film:

I am producing this documentary for many reasons. The most compelling of them is that I believe the United States of America is the greatest country in the world. However, the treatment of the undocumented immigrant community at this point in our history is not what I consider to be an example of greatness. The anti-immigrant movements spreading throughout this great country are misguided. Information is being manipulated to push political agendas.

After compiling years worth of footage, interviews, newsreels, and more, “The Forgotten Class” is set to enter its post-production stage, but Rodriguez needs funding to  finish the project.  Which is why Rodriguez launched a Kickstarter campaign in attempts to raise awareness about the documentary and enough money to cover the costs of finishing the film.  Through donations from the community, Rodriguez, who has personally funded the project until now, will be able to pay for other costs related to the film such as translation services, music scoring, legal fees, and more.

If you are interested in helping Rodriguez finish the project or to learn more about the documentary, visit “The Forgotten Class” Kickstarter page, or the film’s Facebook page.