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Forum » Additional Suggested Movies » Unit 2 » Under The Same Moon
Under The Same Moon
LunowDate: Monday, 2012-12-24, 10:19 AM | Message # 1
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The debut feature from director Patricia Riggen, this drama centers on a young boy's journey across the U.S./Mexico border to be reunited with his mother. Adrian Alonso stars as Carlitos, a Mexican adolescent living with his grandmother while his mother works as a maid in the U.S., hoping someday to send for her child. But when the grandmother dies unexpectedly, Carlitos must sneak across the border and seek out his mother. Featuring a supporting performance by America Ferrera of ABC's Ugly Betty, Under the Same Moon premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi @ Fandango.com

This movie touches on a number of themes that we study this year. On the surface, it tells the story of the difficulties faced by undocumented Mexican (and people from other parts of Latin America) migrants who travel across the border to the U.S.A. It deals with chain migration and gives a human face to the politically sensitive issue of immigration/migration.

The movie also deals with issues that we cover in later units. In economic geography (Unit 4) we will question why the U.S.A. has an economic advantage compared to other countries in the Americas and relate that to the economic expectations of migrants. We can also contrast levels of development on both sides on the U.S.-Mexico border. We can also see huge cultural differences (Unit 3) between life in the U.S.A. and life in Mexico. [i]
 
MartyDate: Monday, 2015-04-06, 5:57 PM | Message # 2
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Martin Tran
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    The movie Under the Same Moon demonstrates a perspective of Mexican immigrants passing the Mexican and United States border. The sacrifices and obstacles that Mexican immigrants have to face in order to live in the United States are shown in this movie.  These obstacles are captured on camera by showing the different jobs that immigrants have to take and the violence that is done when the Mexican immigrants are caught.  There are many suspenseful moments when the Mexican immigrants are hiding from the police.  This causes the audience to pity the Mexican immigrants and have feelings against the police, who are doing their job, keeping the United States from gaining a heavy burden.  This heart touching movie can change the audience's view and have negative feelings on the Mexican and United States border.
    There are also many human geography themes expressed in this movie.  One theme is the harsh life of immigrants.  Many Mexicans have to leave behind their families to cross the border, some resulting in death.  The beginning of the movie, stated that illegal immigrants didn't have a right to drive around the streets and that they could only take public transportation.  Illegal immigrants have to take up multiple jobs to support themselves, or send home money to support their family.  Finding work is hard, and it is very dangerous for an owner can disclose your identity to a police, like the lady who refused to pay the main character's mom even though the lady fired the mom a week into her work.  The movie zoomed in the work in the field, and how there are even problems working in the fields like the spice of a plant.  There was a huge catastrophe when the illegal immigrants have to hide and run away from the fields, which were cleared out by the police.  There is also the desperate thought of becoming a citizen.  People find legal ways, like marrying a United States citizen.  These actions are not ideal, but beggars can't be choosers and so they are condemned to make sacrifices and do what they have to do to be safe.
    Another human geography theme that is shown in the movie is that America is better off economically which is attracting migration.  Before the wall was built, Mexicans used to work in the United States, bringing home money to Mexico and then coming back to the United States to work.  Mexicans had to stay in the United States.  People want to come to America because there are more job opportunities.  Each person can make money and that will allow a better life.  An example of the movie is that the mom sends home money and gifts to her son that is in Mexico such as shoes.  When her son goes to school, the kids in school are envious of what he receives because not only are his gifts new, but they are of good quality.  The kids in school are stuck with their old ragged shoes and clothes.  This emphasizes the contrasts between the two economies.


Message edited by Marty - Tuesday, 2015-04-07, 1:30 PM
 
caitynDate: Tuesday, 2015-04-07, 9:52 PM | Message # 3
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This was truly a beautiful movie that captures the hearts of everyone who watched it. Even though the idea of loved ones separated because of physical barriers has been used many times, this was it's own unique story. Carlitos is a smart brave little boy that people can't say no to, throughout the movie he really starts to grow up and everyone is just rooting for him!

This connects to APHUG because of the migration of Southern Americans into North America. It mentioned illegal workers and getting citizenship and hiding from I.N.S. The movie has chain migration in here because Rosario moved to East LA where her friend was and many Hispanic migrants are, you can see in the movie where Rosario calls Carlitos, the setting is a street that shows a distinct character of a Hispanic feel because of the shops there.

I would give this movie a 4.5/5 because it was very emotional and it was a good feel movie, it was developed very well and the suspense was spot on. It had a nice touch of love that Carlitos and his mother have.


Message edited by caityn - Thursday, 2015-04-09, 4:46 PM
 
cathyduong08Date: Wednesday, 2015-06-03, 3:47 PM | Message # 4
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Though not a documentary, this movie, Under the Same Moon, accurately depicts one of the many struggles that immigrants must suffer through in coming into the US. In order to provide money for her son's future back home in Mexico, Carlitos's mother illegally crosses the border to the US and makes a living as a maid for the rich people, all to receive the salary that serves as remittance for her family. Nevertheless, Carlitos's mother isn't giving him what he really wants beyond new American shoes or toys-- Carlitos just wants his mom to take care of him. When his grandma unfortunately passes away, Carlitos makes his own escape from Mexico and crosses the border himself, only to get into trouble, lose his money, get abandoned, etc. However, he gets picked up by many illegal immigrants with similar situations as his mom, who are all hiding from the INS as they do cheap, illegal work on farms, etc. One man in particular helps him find his mother at last on that one street corner with the phone booth. After many trials, young Carlitos has found his mother again, and the two can really be "under the same moon". Carlitos' mother continues to struggle, not making much as a maid, but all Carlitos wants, he now has. 
The movie to me, plotwise, was emotional indeed. Here's Carlitos, all alone in this fearsome America, with only the hope to find his mom. His mom has to face so many struggles herself too, waking up at the crack of dawn (along with many other working Americans, in which there's a morning radio station hosted by Spanish speakers on the same boat for that.) She, without papers to buy a car, but take the public bus, use the public laundromats, and etc-- a lifestyle less than a typical American. However, all this she does so she can send remittances back home to Carlitos. In AP HUG Unit 2, we learn how undocumented workers choose to cross the border and take jobs that no one wants because sometimes the opportunties in MDCs are better than those back at home, in Mexico. Carlitos is also an example of chain migration (though illegal), and both parent and son have moved because of push and pull factors.
Overall, it was an enjoyable movie to enjoy population and migration of Unit 2 (:
 
sarah_phan4Date: Saturday, 2016-04-09, 7:35 PM | Message # 5
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Sarah Phan 
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Message edited by sarah_phan4 - Saturday, 2016-04-09, 10:21 PM
 
katnguyenn8901Date: Monday, 2016-04-11, 4:25 PM | Message # 6
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Kathy Nguyen
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    “Under the Same Moon” was truly a heart wrenching movie. While overloaded with emotions, it accurately depicts the life of an undocumented immigrant in the United States. For four years, a nine-year-old boy Carlitos has been separated from his mother, Rosario. She is an illegal worker and maid in said country. He yearns to reach Rosario in Los Angeles, California, where most Mexicans, as discussed in AP Human Geography, typically  tend to migrate to as Mexico, the leading source of illegal immigrants, is directly south of the MDC (more developed country). The original plan was to have the child wait until his mother earns enough to make their reunion possible. However, Carlito’s caretaker, his grandmother, shortly passes away, leaving him no choice but to cross the border leading him to the United States.
    He relies on two Chicanos to drive him across the very obstacle. However, the journey stops short as the university students failed to pay their parking rents prior their arrival to Mexico. Eventually, after numerous ordeals, Carlitos lands up among a group of illegal immigrants that make a living by picking tomatoes from vines. During one of their work hours, they are suddenly caught by the INS and the majority of the laborers was beaten and apprehended. Only Carlitos and another illegal survived the predicament although the man was hostile to him at first and discouraged the boy from following him. Carlitos persists, however, and the man gradually drops his act of hostility after many days, agreeing to aid Carlitos in his search for Rosario. Their mission succeeds in the end despite the adult sacrificing himself to the authorities in order for his little friend to escape from their hands.
    The movie in general applies to Chapter 3: Migration as it explicitly elaborates on the dangers of crossing the U.S border and the difficulties of an undocumented immigrant seeking for a better life afterwards due to the opportunities (pull factors) the country’s economy has to offer. While sending remittance back home to her son, Rosario struggles to keep her occupations. In addition, she avoids the INS, a problem Carlitos also encounters as well. The pain of being so far from family is evident in an illegal’s life, and “Under the Same Moon” did an excellent job of portraying these emotions. I would rate this 4.5/5. :)


Message edited by katnguyenn8901 - Monday, 2016-04-11, 7:03 PM
 
sarah_phan4Date: Monday, 2016-04-18, 0:19 AM | Message # 7
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Sarah Phan
Period 2

Under the Same Moon, illustrates the struggles undocumented immigrants face in the United States and how it affects their loved ones left at their home country, in this case it was Mexico. It starts off with the treacherous journey Rosario had to go through to cross the border from Mexico over to the US. She has left her son and family behind to start a better life in a country with much more opportunities. Carlitos, Rosario's son, has been going through many hardships back in Mexico as well. He decides to illegally cross the border by being stuffed in a young couples car. Carlitos was able to escape before they got caught. He goes on a long adventure to try to find his mom in Los Angeles. Meeting a new friend who helps him on his way.

This movie depicts a cause of migration. Rosario was trying to go to a better county to find better opportunities for her and her family. The US had many pull factors like more jobs, and better living conditions. She is faced with having to always be scared of being caught by the government.  While the feeling of separtation between her and her loved ones. She later receives a call acknowledging her mother's death and her son's escape. The movies also shows how many people came here illegally to do hard labor like continuously working in the hot sun, or doing house work for others. Carlitos' journey took him through all of this. But it was all worth it in the end

I give this movie a 4.5/5. It was a very emotional movie with happy ending that is family friendly. It showed the truth in what illegal immigrants had to go through, and it gave me a lot of in sight. I do recommend this movie, it is a story that many have faced, and it ties perfectly into our lesson abut migration.


Message edited by sarah_phan4 - Monday, 2016-04-18, 0:23 AM
 
18apatinoDate: Sunday, 2018-01-07, 9:36 PM | Message # 8
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Anaih Patino
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"Under the Same Moon" portrays the challenges that many may face in regards to immigration. The movie follows the journey of a young nine year old Mexican boy named Carlitos who is on a mission to immigrate to the United States and find his mom. His mother, Rosario, had left Carlitos four years back in order to work and send money back to Mexico so that Carlitos could live a good life and have more opportunities. After his grandmother's death Carlitos decides to pay a young Chicano couple (coyotes) to bring him into the U.S. illegally.

After being caught in a mess Carlitos finds himself with a group of other Mexican immigrants (a result of chain migration). Enrique in specific plays a key role as Carlitos' s travel companion, he explains to Carlitos that his mother didn't necessarily abandon him for selfish reasons as Carlitos suspects but much rather did it in order to give him a better life. It can easily be inferred through the context of the movie and from personal knowledge that some push factors are unemployment, poverty, and corruption, while some pull factors are new opportunities, jobs, and education.

I rate this movie a 5/5 because the movie hits home. Throughout my childhood I was often told stories of such a journey but I have never found that any of the movies had depicted it accurately. However this movie displays the sad reality of the many struggles one has to face in order to immigrate into a new country. Carlitos like many other children had risked his life for something bigger than himself and I find that to be very inspiring.
 
jessicapelagio12Date: Sunday, 2018-04-08, 8:46 PM | Message # 9
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Jessica pelagio
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This movie was great to watch because it showed the struggles that Carlitos had in order to get back to his mom after his grandmother had died. What really hit me was that this could really happen and sometimes the person trying to migrate may have worse obstacles. This little boy had nowhere to go and so he sought out ways to get to the only person he knew but it was still tough for him, being a nine year old.. even though he got help on the way, the guy didn't really want to so he could have been in a worse situation.

I would rate this a 5/5 because it was a heartfelt movie that showed me how good of a life I have and how lucky I am to have both my parents. The ending was both sad and happy because of Carlitos friend sacrificing himself so that he can go to his mom.

This related to APHUG because it shows how migration works. Some of the push factors were that Carlitos had no one to take care of him and that his home land wasn't good for him to be alone. Pull factors were that he wanted a better life and his mom was in the US so he wanted to be with her. It also shows chain migration because Carlitos mom chose to go to the that place in the US because she had a friend who had also moved there and she felt that her culture was integrated to that part and also the setting was like a place that would be found in Mexico.
 
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