Educational Media Reviews Online

Unseen is a thoughtful, feature-length documentary that explores the realities of intersectionality through the experience of a young man named Pedro. Pedro bravely welcomes viewers to witness what it’s like living with blindness as an undocumented Mexican immigrant, living in the United States. The film follows him over several years, as he overcomes obstacles in pursuit of a social work degree. Viewers observe Pedro manage the challenges of getting necessary healthcare and navigating a college campus as a person experiencing blindness. Mimicking a visual impairment, the filmmakers include many out-of-focus shots that create an aesthetic that is dreamy and at times distracting. Pedro works hard to learn and seeks out visual accommodation services, all while living with the constant underlying stress of not knowing how he will pay for his education. Although the film captures Pedro’s optimism, it becomes clear that the constraints and emotional toll of his immigration status severely limit his opportunities to live a fulfilled and independent life. Unseen tells Pedro’s story with a high level of empathy and respect and challenges viewers to deeply consider the systemic burden undocumented youth face in the United States. The film ultimately succeeds in humanizing the labels society places on Pedro; however, it does not feature extensive contextual discussion about the topic at large.

Due to the film’s high quality and its focus on intersectionality and representation, Unseen would be an excellent addition to a school or academic library collection. The film would also be relevant to those interested in a variety of subjects and disciplines such as Latinx studies, social work, sociology, citizenship, healthcare, higher education, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Awards:
Truer Than Fiction Award, Film Independent Spirit Awards; Shortlist, IDA Documentary Awards; Groundbreaker Award, Cleveland International Film Festival; Emerging Filmmaker Award and Audience Award, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; Documentary Jury Award, CAAMFest; Special Jury Mention, New Orleans Film Festival; Vijay Mohan Social Change Award, Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival; Grand Jury Documentary Feature Award, Seattle Asian American Film Festival; Leon Gast Award for Best Documentary Nominee, Woodstock Film Festival

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