The short film documentary “Campesinos America’s Unsung Heroes” was screened at the celebratory event of Campesino Forum on Oct. 5.
The ambition of the team behind the film is to lead a positive impact on the reputation of immigrant farmworkers.
Joe Poni, the film director, notes his original intent of making the film, rooting back to 2016 when he felt the social commentary was negative.
“There was a negative narrative for those that were immigrants. I wanted to change that narrative. The narrative that we’re all criminals [and] take people’s jobs,” Poni said.
The screenings of the film help drive their desire to make positive changes for immigrant farmworkers.
Their ultimate desire is to motivate lawmakers to identify labor workers’ sacrifices and see instated policies that benefit workers.
Digital Media Professor Adriana Brogger initially contacted Poni in the Spring of 2022.
Being acquainted for several years, Brogger knew of his ambition and saw their common causes.
The documentary showcases laborers as they work in vegetation fields to bring awareness to the hard work farm workers contribute to our society.
It features many farm workers throughout the state and the hard labor they perform to provide for their families during the pandemic.
Despite the pandemic’s complications, his determination to give the farmworkers a platform to share their experience remained.
Categorized as essential workers, there was a sentiment that coverage in the media was minimal.
After production finished and the film was edited, Poni entered the film into independent film festivals. So far, the film has won nine awards.
Help from the California Latino Legislative Caucus expanded to other opportunities, such as political party screenings.
After organizing a screening for the California State Capitol, well-received sentiments were expressed from particular individuals in Republican and Democratic parties.
The next ambition of the team is to organize a screening for officials in Congress.
Oct. 23 will be the screening date, where Congressmen will discuss the film, exploring labor, immigration, social safety net programs, and agricultural issues.
