In the Shadow of the Law: a Documentary Film from Espinosa Productions: Using the Power of Media to tell Chicano/Latino Stories

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California and the American Dream Visiones: Taco Shop Poets The Border The U.S.-Mexican War: 1846-1848 ...and the earth did not swallow him

The Hunt for Pancho Villa 1492 Revisited Los Mineros Uneasy Neighbors The New Tijuana

In the Shadow of the Law The Lemon Grove Incident Ballad of an Unsung Hero The Trail North

The Life and Times of Padre Martinez Everybody Loves Ramón Divided Lives: Voices of Oaxacan Women in a Transborder World Pain and Privilege in Rancho Peñasquitos El Paso del Norte

Remembering the Past Arts and Culture Community Matters Immigration/The Border Media

Press Releases Video Clips

"...a powerful television documentary.."
"...pierces through the alienating image to bring viewers the human reality.
"...public-service programming at its best ...deserves to be commended." San Diego Tribune
"...evokes a great deal of sympathy." Los Angeles Times
"...humanizes the shadowy demographic bedeviling the immigration debate." San Antonio Light
"...heartfelt documentary.." TV Key

A documentary portrait of four families who have lived illegally in the United States for many years, exploring their everyday reality, from constant worry about being apprehended by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, to being taken advantage of by many who capitalize on their vulnerability. Using the voices of the families themselves, the program provides a human view of their family life and their hopes for the future, particularly under the amnesty provisions of the 1986 Simpson-Rodino immigration bill.

National PBS broadcast
Nominee, National Emmy, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Special Classification for Outstanding News and Documentary Achievement
Three Emmys, National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, San Diego
Chapter, for Best Documentary, Best Director and Best Sound; also nominated for Best Writing, Photography, Editor and Music Composer/Arranger
Best Documentary, Broadcast Industry Conference, San Francisco
Best Documentary Made for Television, National Latino Film and Video Festival
Best Documentary Report, San Diego Press Club
Journalism Awards
Silver Award, Houston International Film Festival

Best Overall Electronic Entry, National Conference of Christians and Jews-San Diego Chapter, First Annual Media Awards
San Diego nominee for National NCCJ Media Competition
Screened in Callaloo '92, City of San Diego Commission on Arts and Culture
Press Award, American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties, 20th Annual Bill of Rights Banquet
Director's Choice, The Thomas Edison-Black Maria Film & Video Festival; included in Black Maria's Traveling Showcase of Prize-Winning Films and Videos by Vanguard Media Artists
Honorable Mention, National Educational Film & Video Festival, Oakland

For more information about this topic, check out the following links:

Undocumented Life: What is life like for an undocumented immigrant? The television news magazine California Connected takes a look at the 12 million plus undocumented immigrants living and working in the United States.
A Tale of Two Cities: See how two cities in California are dealing with the issue of illegal immigration.

Please contact Espinosa Productions for ordering information.

In the Shadow of the Law (1988)

Producer
Director
Writers

Paul Espinosa
Frank Christopher
Paul Espinosa
Leo Chavez

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting