EDUCATIONAL FILM LITERACY
Childhood Across Borders / Solidarity & Empathy / Indigenous Peoples & Cultural Heritage
BURROS director by Jefferson Stein
From Executive Producer Eva Longoria
BURROS
by Jefferson Stein
From Executive Producer Eva Longoria
Recommended ages: 9-12and over
In southern Arizona, twenty miles from the Mexico border, a young Indigenous girl discovers a Latina migrant her age who has been separated from her father while traveling through the Tohono O’odham Nation into the United States.
Subjects:
Childhood & Friendship / Diversity & Inclusion / Childhood Across Borders / Solidarity & Empathy / Indigenous Peoples & Cultural Heritage / Language & Communication / Human Rights & Fundamental Rights / Family & Intergenerational Bonds
“The Mexico-U.S. border crossing is such a complex political flashpoint, but in Jefferson Stein’s short film ‘Burros,’ we see two six-year-old girls: kindred spirits from opposing sides of the border who immediately connect with each other despite having no shared language. ‘Burros’ is touching, sad and inspiring all at the same time, and an important story that needs to be told.” -- Eva Longoria
Watch the film:
BURROS (Executive Producer Eva Longoria, Tribeca Short Film)
Discussion
Watch the film and discuss the 5Ws as an introduction. This way your students process the information from the film and then delve deeper into the topic.
The 5Ws:
What: What is the story? (A young Indigenous girl finds a Latina migrant her age in the desert who has been separated from her father and tries to help her).
Who: Who are the main characters? (Elsa from the Tohono O'odham Nation and Ena from Mexico). Are there other key characters? (Elsa's father, her grandmother).
Where: Where does the story take place? (The Sonoran desert / Tohono O'odham Nation in Arizona, twenty miles from the US/Mexico border). What does it mean that the border "cuts the land in half" for the local community?
When: When does it take place? (In contemporary times, amidst the backdrop of everyday border realities).
Why: Why does the story take a sudden turn? (When two children meet without sharing a common language, they are forced to communicate beyond words, highlighting the human cost and solidarity).
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