America's Forgotten

America's Forgotten is an enthralling 2020 documentary directed by Namrata Singh Gujral, one of the most profound filmmakers in the United States. This groundbreaking work of cinema is an exploration of reality that uncovers the unreported truth of the people involved in the U.S.-Mexico immigration crisis. Gujral, a respected filmmaker known for her daring approach in documentary production, utilized her skills perfectly in this enthralling feature.

The movie begins with a gripping scene in the California desert, near the U.S.-Mexico border, where viewers meet a man who found an unrecognizable body. This body that lies under the sun’s harsh glare symbolizes the unreported truth of the U.S. immigration issue - the people behind the statistics and headlines who are often overlooked.

The film provides an unbiased perspective of the controversial issue of immigration whilst paying due respect to the forgotten ones whose stories have been overshadowed by the political uproar surrounding this critical subject. Essentially, it reconnects humanity to a conversation that has been heavily politicized and polarized.

As Gujral examines the immigration scenario in the United States, she exploits the hypothesis that America can be safer if more immigrants are allowed into the country. Throughout the film, she highlights various cases to establish the humanitarian needs and issues faced by immigrants, as well as the potential risks associated with unregulated migration.

The film navigates through dense layers of the immigration issue by examining the risks of illegal immigration, the tragedy of human trafficking, as well as the economic implications. Gujral's interviewees range from border patrol officers, immigration lawyers, to deported citizens and refugees from Central America. These diverse points of view promote a comprehensive understanding of the many facets and complexities of immigration policies and their impact on individuals and communities on both sides of the border.

Moreover, America’s Forgotten dives into the nexus of immigration, human trafficking, and politics, bringing to light how the manipulation of desperate individuals provides a breeding ground for human trafficking. It also reveals the devastating paradoxes for people seeking refuge or better opportunities in the United States, where dreams of a better life often lead to life-threatening circumstances or cruel compromises.

Gujral remarkably manages to underline a significant narrative; these people are not just numbers but humans with dreams, aspirations, and families. She makes a stirring case against partisan narratives, aiming to create a platform for conversation that humanizes rather than demonizes immigrants.

There are moments in the film that pack a real emotional punch. Scenes depicting the realization of dreams turning into nightmares, the relentlessness of human trafficking, and stark revelations of the implications of illegal border crossings are all deeply impactful and thought-provoking.

Director Namrata Singh Gujral, born in India and an immigrant to the United States herself, brings not just a third person but an insider view of the situation making her the perfect person to tell this story. Her style, combining immersive storytelling with balanced reporting, allows her to extend the significance of the immigration predicament beyond the political spectrum and into the humanity that binds us all.

America's Forgotten is an ambitious and impactful film that successfully initiates a compassionate dialogue on an issue often ensnared by political rhetoric. While it may be challenging to watch at times due to the raw realities it presents, it reinforces the fact that such undertold stories deserve attention and empathy.

In a broader perspective, the film serves as a reminder that the current immigration situation is not black and white, but filled with various shades of grey. It provides compelling evidence that the concern over immigration is a universal issue, characterized by human sacrifice, desperation, and, unfortunately, loss. America's Forgotten is, therefore, not just a movie to be watched but an experience to be felt and a dialogue to engage in. It humanely presents the truth about immigrants - they are not merely statistics, but individuals burdened with the harsh reality associated with immigration: it is often a matter of life and death.

“America's Forgotten” is an accurate title for this documentary: it is about people who are forgotten amidst political debates and bias, whose voices are lost in the crowd. It’s a potent reminder that human beings are central to the narrative of immigration and they deserve to be seen, heard, and remembered.