Film Review: “Documented”


Documented

CNN FILMS

In this film, Filipino immigrant and former Washington Post reporter Jose Antonio Vargas does what he does best: tell a story—in this case, his own, with an eye toward humanizing the debate over America’s 12 million undocumented immigrants. Since revealing his undocumented status in a 2011 New York Times Magazine article, Vargas has traveled the nation pushing reform and sparking difficult conversations with lawmakers and voters. But one place he hasn’t been able to go is the Philippines. Documented, which shuttles between Vargas’ New York City flat and his mother’s home in Manila—with a stop at a Mitt Romney town hall meeting along the way—is sprinkled with heartbreaking scenes of their complex relationship, strained by 20 years of separation. Keep a box of tissues handy.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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