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Controversial Austin documentary headed to Tribeca

By Jeremy Schwartz | Thursday, April 3, 2008, 11:12 AM

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Mi Vida Dentro (My Life Inside), the controversial Mexican documentary about the 2005 Rosa Jimenez murder trial, is set to make its U.S. debut - at the Tribeca Film Festival no less. Unfortunately for Austin viewers, a deal to bring the movie to SXSW never came to fruition, so people desperate to see the movie will have head to Manhattan in a few weeks to check it out. Filmmaker Lucia Gaja said she plans to bring the movie to Austin before the year is up, saying it is crucial that local residents see the movie.

The film chronicles the trial and sentencing of undocumented Mexican immigrant Rosa Jimenez, who was babysitting a two-year-old boy when he choked to death. Prosecutors said Jimenez stuffed a wad of paper towels down his throat; defense attorneys said the choking was an accident. The movie, which presents Jimenez as a victim of out of control Texas justice, has sparked outrage in her native Mexico and a campaign to win her freedom. She is serving a 99-year sentence.The movie, which won the grand prize at the International Human Rights Film Festival in Paris, also explores the relationship between immigrants and the city.

Judging by the flurry of emails I received after first writing about the documentary, both the trial and the documentary have struck a cord with Austinites. Having seen the movie at a film festival here in Mexico City, I can say that it is an emotionally wrenching experience even for people with little knowledge of the case.

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By jim miller

April 3, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure how much “outrage” the case has caused in Mexico. We live in Guadalajara,and this is the first we’ve heard of it.

By Jeremy Schwartz

April 3, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this

Jim, take a look at this article from La Jornada for a taste of what people are saying in Ecatepec: http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2008/02/23/index.php?section=espectaculos&article=a10n1esp

I don’t think the movie has made it to Guadalajara yet - it’s shown at the Morelia Festival and at some festivals here in Mexico City. But it looks like it’s going to be released nationwide through Canana, Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna’s film company.

By Talib

April 6, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Once again an ILLEGAL ALIEN not an “undocumented immigrant” is portrayed as a victim. Whatever happened to PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY? If you do the crime you do the time, PERIOD! In my opinion she got off easy! A wad of paper towels should have been stuffed down her throat, in much the same way she did to that innocent child!

By Leo

April 18, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Wow Talib, You sure are humane! I saw the doc and although i consider it lacks arguments from the prosecutor side to get the complete picture, it is good enough -and highly compelling- to show that it was an unfair trial. Nobody wants Rosa to run free but i hope this documentary can offer her another opportunity to defend herself. Is not that the meaning of justice?

By Chris in Manhattan

April 25, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Just saw the film this afternoon at a press screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. It is truly a powerful piece that needs to be seen by a wide audience. I dare anyone who watches the film to not have compassion for Rosa Jimenez.

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