Documentary subjects

One idea would be to look at the illegal immigration across our southern border, Mexico. It has been a recognized topic for political debate in Washington ;with the Latino population being the fastest growing demographic in the United States, it has become an issue forced to be recognized by active American citizens as well. Looking from a different perspective than the media often portrays, i will be looking at the life of a Mexican immigrant and middle class citizen in Michiana, Armando Reyes Villagrana. Coming here with only his strong work ethic and morals, he will reflect on the trials that he encountered and how his values impacted the many people he acquainted along his journey of coming to America as well as his life here. This reflection will be displayed through mutiple interviews,images,articles, and graphics. Also with data on immigration, i will attempt to change or reinforce the views and morales of the audience toward this current issue in America.

1. Armando Reyes Villagrana

Armando,  the main subject of my documentary, is located he in Michiana. Recognized by the South Bend Tribune, he has been a hard-worker for the past 25 years at the McCormick factory in South Bend. Previous to his faithful employment in South Bend, he worked at several jobs throughout the community since his transition to the area in 1980. Armando would find a wife and try to began a family with the birth of his first child, Maria. She would have a short life, passing as an infant, and her death would be the reason for the collapse of his first marriage. Later, he would find a second wife and marry locally, but faced emotional and mental hardships. He would face difficultly having children, choosing to get an expensive medical procedure to make the hope of being a father again a reality. He spent most of his live savings in the process, which made it rather impossible to pay for his wife's future chemotherapy treatments. She was diagnosed with breast cancer only 6 years after the birth of their twins. Although these bills buried Armando financially, he would scrounge money for his parents who lived in poverty back in Mexico and fund his children's education and future lives in America. I will ask him how these trials impacted him and about his view about coming to America. Asking him to imagine how his life might have been different if he didn't acquire his citizenship.

2. Bob Petty's Family

Recently passed, Bob was the boss who hired Armando for his current job at McCormick. Later, they would unknowingly play a big role in each other's lives. Bob recognized Armando's strong work ethic, and knew that he could handle any task that he was confronted with. Bob and Armando became friends, and they exchanged knowledge and skills they had learned helping each other grow. Even after Bob's Retirement from the company, they would help each other's families through the years. Armando would come by to visit him often, even when Bob's health declined. It was discovered that Bob was a victim of Alzheimer's disease, making him immobile and his quality of life minimual until his passing. I will look at second hand accounts from Bob's children and grandchildren explaining the connection they shared, and the roles they played in each other's lives.

3. Melissa Villagrana

Armando's second wife, Melissa helped him acquire his citizenship and became the mother of his only living children, Jesse and Amanda. She's helped Armando's family in Mexico, and has been supportive of her husband during other trials in his life. She can provide a first hand account to add to this reflection of Armando's life.