Movies

20 years after its release, ‘A Day Without a Mexican’ is as relevant as ever

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20 years after its release, 'A Day Without a Mexican' is as relevant as ever

As a huge fan of thought-provoking and socially relevant films, I was deeply moved by “A Day Without a Mexican” when I first watched it over two decades ago. The film, which marked its 20th anniversary this year, continues to resonate strongly with me due to its powerful message that still holds significance in today’s political climate.

As someone who grew up in a border town where the Mexican community plays a significant role in the local economy and culture, I have witnessed firsthand the power of the film “A Day Without a Mexican” to spark important conversations about immigration and its impact on society. Twenty years after its release, the film’s political message remains as relevant as ever. The anti-immigrant sentiments that were prevalent during the time the movie was made have unfortunately persisted, fueled by fearmongering and misinformation. It is disheartening to see how these attitudes continue to shape policies and public discourse, causing harm to individuals and communities. We need more empathy, understanding, and acceptance, not fear and hatred. Let us remember that behind every label or stereotype, there is a human being with hopes, dreams, and struggles just like ours.

Under the guidance of Sergio Arau, this mockumentary explores the mysterious vanishing act of Mexicans in California, resulting in a ripple effect of economic instability. Industries such as construction, maintenance, agriculture, law enforcement, and education are severely impacted due to labor shortages.

“On May 14th, there will be no presence of Mexicans in California according to this billboard.”)

In his 2004 article for the Los Angeles Times, Steve Lopez suggested that it seemed as if Governor Pete Wilson was planning a political comeback based on some sounds he heard. However, upon further investigation, Lopez discovered that those noises were actually coming from an advertisement promoting an upcoming pro-immigrant movie instead.

The billboard offered only a small amount of information about the upcoming film, consisting only of a website link. However, this simple advertisement sparked controversy among people passing by, who found it offensive. In the end, the filmmakers chose to remove the $10,000 sign after just a few hours due to concerns that it could lead to violent protests.

“According to Arau’s account in The Times, some people mistakenly believed it was the Minutemen or the Ku Klux Klan behind a certain incident. However, he also mentioned another billboard advertisement in Spanish which read: ‘On May 14, the Gringos will weep.'”

As a movie enthusiast, I’d like to share an alternate perspective on the making of the 2004 film. Unlike the widespread excitement, this motion picture wasn’t inspired by popular sentiment. Instead, it was a reaction to the anti-immigrant wave that swept through California in the mid-90s, fueled by Proposition 187. Backed by former Governor Pete Wilson, this ballot measure aimed to instate a citizenship verification process and prohibit undocumented immigrants from utilizing healthcare, education, and other public services within the state.

In contrast, despite the presence of thousands of protesters who demonstrated against the proposed measure prior to the 1994 election, it still managed to secure a significant victory at the polls.

I’m a political cartoonist, just like my renowned father Alfonso Arau. One day, I found myself deeply troubled by a certain policy and couldn’t help but share my concerns with my beloved wife Yareli Arizmendi. She’s not only my life partner but also an accomplished actress, known for her role in “Like Water for Chocolate” and appearing in the film as well.

“I can’t stand this,” he told her. “Why are they so aggressive?”

As a foreign national from Mexico residing in San Diego, he was provoked by the policy yet viewed it as the catalyst for his artistic projects.

Arizmendi, inspired by Luis Valdez’s El Teatro Campesino and its politician use of theater, proposed taking action against discriminatory policies towards immigrants, specifically Mexicans, and producing something that would highlight their significant economic contributions within the state.

“She said we should do a day without Mexicans,” Arau recalled, and the idea stuck.

Arizmendi, one of the scriptwriters along with Arau and Sergio Guerrero, fed into the xenophobic sentiments fueled by Wilson’s campaign, sparking anxiety against immigrants through his provocative advertisements.

Based on my own experiences and observations, I can understand where Arizmendi is coming from when he asks, “So let’s suppose we leave. What do you do without us?” It’s a question that carries a heavy weight of uncertainty and potential consequences.

The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago gave independent filmmakers an upfront payment as an advance, which they used to produce and showcase their short film “A Day Without a Mexican” before creating their feature-length project. To everyone’s surprise, this short film gained recognition and was selected to compete in various film festivals, including the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival in 1997.

In a humorous twist, the 28-minute short portrayed the diverse responses of non-Mexican Californians as they found themselves unexpectedly wanting to exclude Mexican immigrants from their communities. A nod of appreciation, albeit satirical, was given to Wilson in the closing credits.

As a movie buff, I’d express it like this in the first person: “At film festivals, it caused quite a stir. People often asked themselves, ‘What if we just left?'”

As I watched this little-known indie short make waves at film festivals in 1998, I couldn’t help but notice the parallels to real-life events unfolding at the time. The production gained significant financial backing from A Televisa Cine to expand it into a feature film. However, before its release, an anti-immigrant ballot measure had been brought down by a federal judge. This judicial decision, which halted the discriminatory proposal, was based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, ensuring individual rights irrespective of citizenship status.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always been intrigued by the development of this film. Over the years, my fascination only grew stronger. In fact, an article published in the L.A. Times back in 2001 mentioned that unfortunately, the comedy being produced in Los Angeles wouldn’t be ready for screening when President Vicente Fox of Mexico visited Washington D.C. to meet with President Bush that week.

Arau and Arizmendi hurried to complete their movie as they were concerned that if they waited any longer, their perspective on the delayed immigration reform might become outdated.

“Around two decades ago, Bush advocated for immigration reform, to which we responded with surprise and apprehension, fearing delays,” Arizmendi reminisces. “Yet, here we are today, and the issue remains unresolved.”

Despite gaining varied criticisms when it came out in 2004, a Los Angeles Times editorial planner described the satire as “plain and uncomplicated.” The production cost a modest $1.8 million, yet it managed to rake in an impressive $10.1 million at the box office.

Twenty years after its release, Arau and Arizmendi are marking the film’s anniversary with nationwide screenings. This tour has given them a new perspective on outdated immigration policies and persistent anti-immigrant sentiments, which lingered even after Proposition 187 was proposed.

“A month ago during a screening, someone labeled me as if I were a prophet, Arizmendi remarked. This is because Trump is expressing the same views now.”

During the Republican National Convention, ex-President Trump pledged for an extraordinary number of deportations unlike any seen before.

Trump stated that the Republican party’s plan includes initiating the biggest immigration removal process our nation has ever seen.

At 7 p.m. on Saturday, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will be hosting a free viewing of “A Day Without a Mexican.”

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2024-07-28 05:56

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