"Under the Same Moon" Proves Cinema is an Art Form!

            Under the Same Moon eloquently tackles immigration, the dangers children that immigrate illegally face, the post traumatic stress it provides, and depicts child labor in agricultural workplace in the U.S. The dangers a child may encounter when immigrating by themselves is present, it’s easy to see how then can fall victim to child trafficking. 

While the film encompasses immigrating into the U.S. by crossing the border, it can’t help but pull the emotional strings along the way through such a humane story. With the separation of families committed by immigration agencies being such a hot topic nowadays, the film resonates more today than it did yesterday.

            The film starts off with a lead character waking up from a nightmare. She leaves her son with her mother in her homeland in search of better opportunities for them. The ten year old sets off to cross the border illegally to reunite with his mother. 

While making his way to L.A, the lead character, Carlitos, follows his friends to work, he works besides them picking fruit, and experiences the unhealthy conditions migrant workers in agricultural workplaces face. The child actor delivers an amazing portrayal. It’s staggering to believe that in a country like this, a 12-years-old can work in agriculture on a farm if a parent has given permission according to osha.gov.

            The ill feeling produced by abuse of power is made present by an employer refusing to pay her maid her last week. Kate del Castillo gave an incredible performance. One was able to view how torn she was at every moment between what she wanted, and what was best for her son in the long run.  

With the separation of families committed by ICE being more exposed nowadays, the film reflects a growing group of people’s fear. It’s absurd to see how some become a casualty in an inhumane protocol that begs revision. Even more ridiculous is to deport a young adult that was brought to this country as a toddler, sending them to a country they may be completely foreign towards- as is the case of Juan Manuel Montes. 

            Under the Same Moon will make you shed a couple of tears, and understand the struggles that some parents must face when immigrating to another country, it correlates with subject of immigration in the U.S. I definitely recommend this film, it offers an intense humane story that will make you shed a couple of tears. Every character adds something, no one is flat, and the cast is superb at every moment. Under the Same Moon proves cinema is an art form!