Here we are introduced to Kevin, who is fourteen years old and mentions how his mother was too poor to afford to support her children, so he dreams of making it to America and providing for her. This received consciousness of many of the children on the same tragic journey is that they must break from the reality of being a child and forcibly adapt into the world of becoming an adult. The uncertainty of their journey can be reflected in the waiting game the boys play on the train tracks as they await a train that will be heading on a track that could potentially lead them to the United States. Before the scene ends, Kevin is scene speaking to his mother on the phone and informing her of where he is located. The vulnerability suggests the youth that all of the children possess.
Speaking to the ideology of illegal immigration of children from poverished South American countries, the socialization of the young boys in these families leaving home and fighting against the odds of surviving the dangerous travels, has become the main source of reasoning and justification as to why these young men and women are subjected to lending to the notion of creating an ideology. It becomes an issue when it is recognized as a socially constructed problem where at a certain age these children feel it is necessary to take the responsibility of providing for their families by migrating to America. Children ranging from the ages of 10-15, pack up and leave home, sometimes never addressing their departure to their family. For example, when Kevin contacts his mother on the phone at the end of the scene I chose, she has an element of surprise in voice when he mentions his location. There are other children on the journey who never told their parents and just left. The scary realization that most of these children are detained, kidnapped by smugglers, or unfortunate enough to die, emphasizes how unsettling of an ideology Which Way Home depicts.
The concept of ideologies as a “this is what we do and how we do it” mentality, parallels with the mentalities of the migrants featured in all three movies we viewed so far. Whether they are escaping crime, running from fear, searching for hope, or planning on creating a better life for their family and themselves in another country, each face of the travelling characters from Eddie to Willy to Kevin to Sayra and Sally, become representative of an increasingly heartbreaking ideology forming all over the world where the children of the future have to grow up a little earlier than expected.
I like the connection you drew between all three films. It was was alarming to witness this ideology of children accepting independence in "Which Way Home" because these were real kids. As you already stated, the children of this film believe that's just the way things are done. Leaving without notice and leaving at such a young age, these children had to learn this ideology somewhere. They hear stories of other kids successfully achieving a better life in America, and they feel they, too, can escape their hardships for a better life in a foreign land, which is seen in the other films as well. In all three movies, they don't know exactly what to expect at their destination, but they're confident it can only be better than their current situation.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your observation. Ideologies run very strong in the fictional and real life narratives we have examined in class. In all three films, this people are technically choosing to flee but are more or less forced onto it by circumstances. I think it is in many of our ideologies (no matter your culture) to take care of your family when they're struggling. Unfortunately, these kids have more to lose. It was a dose of realism given when the border patrol says, "These parents should not be surprised when their [given to paid strangers] kids don't survive."
ReplyDeleteAnother amazing read of the film. I enjoyed how you bought up the sound in the mother's voice on the phone. It serves a great importance. Unlike Wild Boys of the Road or Sin Nombre, Which Way Home is a documentary. There is no fictional illusion that these children will be okay when the camera goes away, its a reality. Remembering that puts weight behind the surprise in his mother's voice. Again its a good read of the film and I can't wait to see what you do for Thelma and Louise.
ReplyDelete