'The Border Wall' offers strong argument against its subject

In the documentary The Border Wall by filmmaker Wayne Ewing, many issues that would arise from construction of the proposed 670-mile fence along the United States-Mexico border in 2008 are examined. The film investigates the impact of the wall on the environment, commerce and human rights. Ewing tells the tale with voices from citizens who live in the border towns, local politicians who fought the Federal government to keep the wall from crossing into their territories and wildlife protection agencies.

The Border Wall does an excellent job of answering questions for sympathizers with those who protested the "Wall of Shame" through interviews and even song. Thankfully the narration in the film is minimal and the case is made by the individuals who were experiencing the fallout from a decision that was seemingly made without consulting the residents of the border towns.

The argument against the wall is made stronger by a glimpse into a day with a group of people who dedicate themselves to saving the lives of migrants who try to cross the border everyday, leaving behind clothes, empty water jugs and sometimes members of the migration party who aren't able to make the trek and are left to die.

In addition to the documentary is an addendum which focuses on a more complicated arm of the border wall saga - the levee and border wall compromise in the Rio Grande Valley. The segment includes interviews with Hidalgo County Judge J.D. Salinas, III who proposed and supported the plan and Public Outreach Specialist Nancy Brown of Fish & Wildlife Service, who opposed it.

While the film doesn't evoke tears, it does offer a more human look at how the border wall will affect those around it, and does so with compassion.

WATCH IT!
WHEN: 7 p.m., Monday (Sept. 14)
WHERE: Student Union building at UTPA

THE BORDER WALL
Length: 72 min.
Directed by: Wayne Ewing