Immigration, Eugenics, and the Disabled Immigrant Experience - 2019

This short film sheds light onto the history of disabled immigrants arriving into the U.S. during the early part of the 20th century, in particular through Ellis Island in NY. The film looks at immigration policies, eugenics, and racism and the way it worked together to target disabled immigrants for inadmissibility and deportation. I also explores some of the current immigration policies that are being put in place by the Trump administration and how eugenics is linked to these policies.

Director | Producer | Editing: Raul Varela

Video Coming Soon

Immigration, Eugenics, and the Disabled Immigrant Experience - With Commentary by immigration lawyer Kristina Seil - 2019

This short film sheds light onto the history of disabled immigrants arriving into the U.S. during the early part of the 20th century, in particular through Ellis Island in NY. The film looks at immigration policies, eugenics, and racism and the way it worked together to target disabled immigrants for inadmissibility and deportation. I also explores some of the current immigration policies that are being put in place by the Trump administration and how eugenics is linked to these policies.

Director | Producer | Editing: Raul Varela

Video Coming Soon

Entry Without Inspection - 2017

This short film tells the story of a married couple living in Berkeley, California. She is undocumented and he’s an American born citizen. For over a decade the have been engulfed in an emotionally stressful and long legal process towards the path to “naturalization.”

Director | Producer | Cinematography | Editing: Raul Varela

Video Coming Soon

Not Everything Started in 1994 - 2010/TBD

On the morning of January 1st 1994, México woke to the news that three thousand armed indigenous soldiers, calling themselves the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), had occupied Chiapas and declared war against the Mexican government and federal army. Not Everything Started in 1994 is a documentary that follows the lives of those individuals involved in the struggle.

Director | Producer | Cinematography | Editing: Raul Varela

Still Photography | Sound: Mark Altenberg

Assistant Director | Fixer: Diana Lopez

Women In a Landscape Of Change - 2010/2013

Landscape of Change charts recent social changes in Ireland through the voices and lives of Irish mothers, teachers and activists. The film examines and discusses controversial subjects such as Ireland's archaic anti abortion legislation and recent changes to divorce and homosexuality laws. As we follow the experiences of Louisa de Cossy, a young woman who grew up in Ireland, a story is told of a community of unknown activists who are making a remarkable impact on Irish society.

Director |Producer |Editor: Louisa De Cossy

Cinematography | Assistant Editor: Raul Varela

Archeology Of Memory: Villa Grimaldi - 2009

The film is a powerful, intense and imaginative musical journey. The film follows Bay Area Chilean exile musician Quique Cruz, from the Bay Area to Chile and back, as he creates his master work, a multimedia art piece to heal his wounds inflicted by state sponsored torture of the Pinochet regime.

Producer & Director: Quique Cruz

Producer & Director: Marilyn Mulford

Cinematographer: Vicente Franco

Editor : Michael Chandler

Music : Quique Cruz, performed by Quijerema

Film Partially funded by: ITVS, LPB, CPB, CAC, NEA

Trailer Edited by: Raul Varela