Friday December 8, 2023
  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast
Versión Español
PanAm Post
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
PanAm Post
No Result
View All Result

Home » ‘7 Soles’ Immigrant Story Will Break Your Heart

‘7 Soles’ Immigrant Story Will Break Your Heart

Elisa Vásquez by Elisa Vásquez
July 18, 2014
in Immigration, Mexico, North America, Opinion, Review, Society, United States
FacebookTwitterTelegramWhatsapp

EspañolWhy do people emigrate? How do they reach the United States? When they leave their homes, do they know they might never see their loved ones again? The events that take place before migrants leave their homes, perhaps the longest and most difficult part of the process, do not occupy much time at all in the media’s massive coverage of the so-called “immigration crisis” in the United States. The major media focuses almost exclusively on politics, reactions from supposed experts, and biased opinions that ignore the actual journey. They are missing out on the real story.

7 Soles film by Pedro Ultreras
(Pedro Ultreras)

For this reason, the 2008 film 7 Soles becomes almost mandatory viewing. Although a fictional drama, the film contains more realism than much of that so-called news coverage. The film’s creator, Pedro Ultreras, is a well-known Mexican journalist and filmmaker, who has dedicated his career to Spanish-language journalism in the United States. His most recent work for Univisión documents the journey of Central American migrants who travel the southern US border on a train known as “The Beast.”

7 Soles is recommended for all those interested in learning more about where the migration story really beings.

In the movie, a Mexican woman named Ramona makes her way on foot to the US-Mexico border with her two young children, looking to be reunited with her husband after several years. Her husband went to the United States in search of the “American dream,” and after years of hard work, now has a home, a car, a job, and the promise of work for Ramona.

While living in Chicago, he hires a group of coyotes to reunite him with his wife and children. These coyotes find Ramona and her kids in Mexico and begin a hope-filled northward journey that ends in a nightmare.

Ramona and her children say goodbye to Ramona's mother
Ramona and her children say goodbye to Ramona’s mother. (7 Soles)

The truthfulness of the film begins with Ramona and her children saying their goodbyes to Ramona’s parents. Without acknowledging it out loud, they all know that they will most likely never see each other again. Thus begins the heavy burden that most migrants carry with them: the breakup of the family.

Our protagonists embark on their journey alongside others who have also soliciting the coyotes’ services: an adult male, a young couple, and a breastfeeding mother. Regardless of age or condition, they all pursue the same dream.

Each with a gallon of water in one hand and few belongings on their backs, they begin their journey toward the Arizona desert. Already exhausted from the long trip and low on supplies, they are suddenly forced to change course to avoid detection from the US Border Patrol.

As a viewer, one cannot help but feel like another member of the migrant group.

After they learn their trip will take longer than expected, the violence and suffering that is to come seems inevitable. Soon, promises to be reunited with family will be broken.

The heartbreak that follows as members of the group begin to fall away, unable to continue and abandoned in the desert, is profoundly moving.

“This desert is a giant cemetery,” says the coyote who leads the group. The migrants are visibly distressed by the number of bodies left in the desert of people who could not complete their journey.

Migrants support each other along the way
Migrants support each other along the way. (7 Soles)

These scenes in Ultrera’s 7 Soles take place every day in the Arizona desert.

By the end of film, most viewers will be left with sadness and anger at the unfairness of the system. One cannot help but wonder how we have allowed this to continue under such unjust and unequal conditions, without the freedom to pursue our dreams. It is precisely that search for freedom — the pursuit of happiness — that drives so many to risk their lives to reach the border. Arbitrary lines created and maintained by politicians separate dreams from nightmares.

The film’s conclusion leaves us with a bit of hope. After sharing in their pain, viewers share in the relief and happiness of a family reunited. We see a father’s joy after finally being able to hold his child in his arms once again — a joy that is at this very moment denied to thousands of families.

https://twitter.com/pedroultreras/status/485219409422999552/
They are 13 and 15 years old, traveling on “The Beast” from Honduras with their older brother who is 22. They’re going to Houston.

As the credits roll, Ultereas dedicated the film to the “memory of all the immigrants who have lost their lives on their way to a better life.”

During these times of mass media disinformation, it is our duty to become informed of the real human drama that is hidden way and diminished by reporters and poorly addressed by politicians.

Behind the “immigration crisis” hide stories like those of Ramona and her children. They are essential stories that remind us of the humanity we all have the capacity to share.

Si nos prohibe subirnos a La Bestia, caminaremos todo Mexico, pero no nos detendrán, me dijo un migrante de Honduras. pic.twitter.com/onnGvsVpIg

— Pedro Ultreras (@pedroultreras) July 13, 2014


If we cannot board The Beast, we will walk all the way across Mexico, but they will not hold us back, a migrant from Honduras said to me.

Translated by Anneke Ball.

RelatedArticles

The night Chris Rock turned into a 12-year-old whiny bully victim

The night Chris Rock turned into a 12-year-old whiny bully victim

March 26, 2023
The new socialist supremacisms: a maoist cultural revolution undermines the US

The new socialist supremacisms: a maoist cultural revolution undermines the US

August 21, 2021
Tags: 7 SolesPedro Ultreras
Elisa Vásquez

Elisa Vásquez

Elisa Vásquez is a Venezuelan journalist with experience covering social and community topics. Her specialty is human rights education and international solidarity. She reports from Panama City. Follow her on Twitter @elisavasquez88.

Related Posts

The night Chris Rock turned into a 12-year-old whiny bully victim
Columnists

The night Chris Rock turned into a 12-year-old whiny bully victim

March 26, 2023
The new socialist supremacisms: a maoist cultural revolution undermines the US
Columnists

The new socialist supremacisms: a maoist cultural revolution undermines the US

August 21, 2021
GETTR: the powerful weapon of Trump and international right wing
United States

GETTR: the powerful weapon of Trump and international right wing

July 13, 2021
Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips
Columnists

Trump Against Suppression of Human Rights

February 1, 2021
Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips
News

15 Republicans Who Voted Against Trump Are Already Facing the Consequences

February 1, 2021
Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips
Analysis

Three Signs That Elon Musk Has the World at His Fingertips

February 1, 2021
Next Post
Peru and Honduras Drop Visa Requirements for Tourists

Salvadoran Police Intimidate Investigative Journalist

Subscribe free and never miss another breaking story

  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast

© 2020 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact

© 2020 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy and Cookie Policy.