El Contrato
Film Reflection
This essay is a critical film reflection of “El Contrato”, which is a documentary filmed by Min Sook Lee. This film follows the lives of Mexican workers in Leamington, Ontario. Leamington is known for agricultural production of tomatoes. "El Contrato" follows Teodora Bello Marinez, a poor father of four living in Mexico, and many of his countrymen as they make an annual migration to southern Ontario. This film shows the difference with regards to how migrant workers are treated on farms in Canada and that labor laws now take them into accounts.
Under a well-meaning government, the environment is such that workers are simply being exploited. Also, it needs to point out that there are also many good employers that value these workers. The fact is that Canada has been exporting cheap labour for a long time. Because the environment is such that all workers are away from families in a strange country working at lower wages, it is quite clear they are living a slave’s life and not content by being away from their families and children. They miss their families and would much rather be home. They simply have no choice as there is no work at home and their families need the support that they are able to provide. This quote clearly states the
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The contract states that they will work 7 days a week at very low wage. El Contrato conveys the message that many people tend to forget: immigrants are human beings, embedded in social and economic networks. The Documentary shows us men who are not able to both live and work among their families and social networks, but instead must forego life for work. One would get to see how small family farms grew into major industries through the use of Mexican agricultural contract workers. The workers have signed off their isolation and their powerlessness life as contract workers to improve the conditions of their
In today's world there is kids in child labor and many people struggling with poverty. It is important that Francisco Jimenez tells a story of migrant farm workers because many people don't understand the struggles the workers go throw.This is relevant to our lives because people who aren't struggling with poverty or are in child labor take most things for granted and those who struggle would be more than grateful for the most slightest
Guillermo González Camarena was a Mexican electrical engineer who was the inventor of a color-wheel type of color television, and who also introduced color television to Mexico,
Viva La Causa is a documentary about how hundreds of farmworkers fought for their human rights because they were treated poorly. This took place in the early 1960’s because the workers were not receiving their benefits and civil rights. A farmer himself, Cesar Chavez, spoke on behalf of the rest of the farmers saying why should they put up with the low wages and no benefits. After watching this documentary it helps me understand the functions of the legislative and executive branches of the Texas State Government by providing interesting concepts of how the government was back then and how they took action.
From a proud Conquistador, to a castaway, a slave and trader, and then medicine man, Cabeza de Vaca was the first European to explore much of the southern coast of Texas. Cabeza was a 37 year old military veteran in 1527 when he left on the Narvaez Expedition to find gold and colonize the Gulf Coast. He was the expedition’s treasurer. Cabeza de Vaca was enslaved by Indians in 1528 when one of the rafts the crew made crashed on present day Galveston island, he then escaped in 1530 and joined/was enslaved by another tribe called the Charrucos until his escape with 3 other survivors in 1534. He then walked to Mexico City. Cabeza survived this ordeal because of the incredible patience he had, his skills of diplomacy and goodwill, and his amazing wilderness survival skills.
Look down at your shoes, shirt, or pants; all these products you use everyday have a high chance they were produced in Maquiladoras located in Mexico. These Maquiladoras provide cheap labor for big name companies, which provides inexpensive products for the consumers. In consequence of the cheap labor, the workers and residents that live near these Maquiladoras are negatively impacted everyday. The film Maquilapolis is arguing that the practices of Maquiladoras are unethical and inhumane. The clip 0:26:00-0:29:00 of the film argues that the pollution and waste created from the Maquiladoras come with negative consequences for the workers and nearby residents. The film supports their argument through the use of expert testimony, juxtaposition
These horrors are intensified by the fact that the immigrant workers are paid wages which barely allow them to live. They dwell in crowded tenements hardly fit for human habitation. And the political climate of the era, in terms of its effect on their lives, as both workers and consumers, was one of corruption and laissez-faire. The capitalist bosses were essentially allowed by political leaders to do whatever...
The emotional letter that Juan left for his mother might be one of the most emotional scenes in the documentary. The pure emotions that the letter was written by Juan to her mother leaves the audience with the bonds and emotions felt between the kids and families. Juan Carlos’s father abandoned the family years ago and left to New York, consequently Juan believe it is his responsibility to provide for his family. He also wants to find his father in New York and confronts him about why he has forgotten about them. The story of Juan is not just about migration of children, but also the issue of family separation. The documentary does not dehumanize but rather bring the humane and sensitive lens to the story of Juan where the human drama that these young immigrants and their families live. Juan Carlos is not the first of Esmeralda’s sons to leave for the United states, his nine-year-old brother Francisco was smuggled into California one month earlier. Francisco now lives with Gloria, his grandmother, who paid a smuggler $3,500 to bring him to Los Angeles, California. Once Juan Carlos is in the shelter for child migrants his mother eagerly awaits him outside. After she sees him she signs a paper that says if Juan Carlos tries to travel again, he will be sent to a foster home.
(CITE WIKI SOURCE). Marcos uses a combination of sheer passion, factual evidence, and practical experience as a leftist rebel to show the reader that this Capitalist approach of the Mexican government severely damages many rural Mexicans traditions, quality of life, and labour conditions(POSSIBLE CONCLUSION).
In the play Doubt, by John Patrick Shanly, Sister Aloysius is treating Father Flynn unfairly. Sister Aloysius is the principal of St. Nichols School, who is suspicious and always doubt everyone, especially Father Flynn. She thinks that Father Flynn is guilty, but has no proof. Sister Aloysius doesn’t like Father Flynn in the school and his ideas. She treats him unfairly. Sister Aloysius treats Father Flynn unfairly when she still accuses Father Flynn of giving the altar wine to Donald Muller after Father Flynn tells her the truth. She treats him unfairly by forcing him to request the transfer without proving if Father Flynn is guilty or not and also makes him resign by lying about his past.
The best part to learn from in my opinion is the Epilogue where the Chavez speaks to the lives of undocumented immigrants inside the political and social environment that has recently "shadowed" to be stricter on illegal aliens. Chavez brought a clear unbiased look at the simple and often risky life of undocumented migrants, mainly in Southern California area. I also learned more about the term "migrant worker" I knew some things but as I was reading I got more out of the term like it has multiple meanings and interpretations in different places of the world. The general meaning is any person working outside of their home country (which is what I thought it to be.) Some countries have millions of illegal immigrants , most of them being workers. The word can also be used to label someone who drifts within their country just to follow work as well as seasonal work "Farmworkers in northern San Diego are generally employed as seasonal workers" (Chavez pg. 86) which is the common definition in the United States.
The documentary El Contrato follows the exploits of Mexican migrant workers as they find themselves being exploited. In particular, it follows one man, Teodoro Martinez, a father of 4 who has worked many seasons in Canada. Teodoro returns year after year. He does not return because he enjoys it, he returns for the pay. The migrant workers are chosen with certain criteria in mind. These ‘desirable’ traits are that they have minimal, if any, education and a family in Mexico. The workers chosen are typically quite poor, many not owning a house. The pay is better than what they could get in Mexico, so they must make the decision to desert their families for two thirds of the year to support their loved ones. They are brought to a town where most
Many countries have the pleasure of celebrating Independence Days. These historic holidays are filled with nationalistic celebrations and delicious traditional food. In Chile, the natives celebrate their break from Spain with Fiestas Patrias. In Mexico, the president begins the celebration by ringing a bell and reciting the “Grito de Dolores” and he ends his speech by saying “Viva Mexico” three times.
The concept of a “productive” worker is a complex one. Ultimately, the question that must be asked is what societal benefit there is in increased productivity. One the one hand, it might be argued that what is best for the businesses that employ workers is best for the nation. To paraphrase, this “what is good for business is good for Canada” perspective suggests that when business does well it will automatically mean that workers benefit. However, is this approach really the best goal for society? Instead of this view, it might be better to place th...
Rinehart, James W. "Alienation and the Development of Industrial Capitalism in Canada." Solutions to Alienated Labour." The Tyranny of Work. Toronto: Harcourt Brace, 1996 pp.23-60, 153-156
In 2010 a Spanish, Mexican film producer Sebastian and his executive producer Costa arrived in Bolivia, escorted by a group of actors and a team of crew members, who were all there to prepare themselves in creating a film that depicted Columbus's first journey to the “New World”. Ignorant about his restricted budget, Costa’s nominates to do his film in Bolivia, which is the humblest (poorest) of nation in South America. There, is where they held auditions for parts in the film and the poorest of locals were so thrilled to audition just to get a part in the film so they may earn the two dollars a day as an extra in the film. Film maker Costa had saved thousands of thousands of dollars by having the underpaid cast members perform labor duties which were meant to be accomplished by skilled engineers.