Immigrants In The Film Under The Same Moon

The construction of the American identity has been formulated to illustrate specific points that distinctly characterize “Americans” as Americans. Being committed, free, and equal, are just a few of the traits that characterize this nation. However, in the film Under the Same Moon (2008), these values are ignored by the Anglo-Saxon, upper class individuals. When they interact with undocumented individuals, their values are altered and there is no longer an equal and free nation. In the film these individuals were constantly being labeled as “illegal” and living with the fear of being caught and deported. For them the American Dream seemed to be an impossible goal they have set. Even though they worked hard, and tried to pursue a good income, the …show more content…
However, immigration is an issue that has always altered the actions and values that categorize the American people. The treatment of undocumented individuals has been portrayed in Under the Same Moon as harsh and unjust. For these individuals equality and freedom are not something they are exposed to. According to the American Dream, everyone has the potential to reach their goals, and if someone doesn’t, it is due to their inability to work hard (Vertov, p.g. 333). However, in the film Rosario and Carlitos worked hard and nothing seemed to improve. Under the Same Moon, is a film that depicts the constant battle between who is free and equal in this country. The Americans value the importance of the basic human rights, yet they alter how they act towards undocumented individuals. This film creates a central idea, that even though our nation is characterized in a specific way, these traits are prone to change. The American values are upheld when a person feels equal to the individual who they are interacting with, however, these values are altered and often ignored when discussing the mistreatment of undocumented