Comments on: FDL Movie Night Welcomes Roy Germano, The Other Side of Immigration

By: Roy Germano

Roy Germano — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:36:51 +0000

Thanks so much for inviting me, Lisa! I really enjoyed the discussion. Be in touch…

By: Lisa Derrick

Lisa Derrick — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:33:52 +0000

Thank you firepups and Roy for a thoughtful discussion about an issue that affects me daily here in Los Angeles–and affects out nation as a whole. Roy, thnak you for making a film that changes people’s minds and makes them think!

By: Roy Germano

Roy Germano — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:33:24 +0000

No plans yet. This is my first film and I’m still hoping to get distribution but don’t have the big connections : ) I made this film on my own (no crew!), with my own savings (i.e., miniscule budget). So if anyone out there believes in this message, wants to offer any funding, or wants to help me get this film into neighborhood movie theaters, homes, universities, you name it — please send me an email (director@theothersideofimmigration.com).

By: eCAHNomics

eCAHNomics — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:29:19 +0000

How can Mexico, no matter how well trained, compete with U.S. subsidized ag? I am a complete doubter about “education” as the solution to the world’s, and every country within the world’s, economic problems. To be sure, that’s true in the long run, but opponents of fairness are using it in the short run as an excuse to maintain the unfair status quo.

By: Roy Germano

Roy Germano — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:28:58 +0000

I sure hope so… but with so many problems right now, who knows? But of all the presidential candidates (if I remember correctly), Obama was the only to advocate greater cooperation with Mexico on immigration issues. So I’m hopeful in that regard. Over all, if the administration is going to tackle immigration, they need to bring on people who understand Mexico and the larger causes and effects of the immigration process so our policies don’t keep failing. I’d be happy to help out if they’re looking for people with expertise in these areas : )

By: Lisa Derrick

Lisa Derrick — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:24:45 +0000

ANd what are plans for the film’s wider release?

By: Lisa Derrick

Lisa Derrick — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:22:24 +0000

Roy, do you htk we’ll see immigration reform under Obama?

By: Roy Germano

Roy Germano — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:22:20 +0000

re: entrepreneurship — the big thing (in addition to having capital to invest) is education. That’s why any investment-subsidization programs in rural Mexico should also have an education and training component. With a loan from the World Bank, Mexico is working on a program that sounds pretty interesting in this regard…young people are provided capital and training to build greenhouses, produce agricultural goods more efficiently, and market their products. The program is called Fondo de Tierras e Instalación del Joven Emprendedor Rural. More info (in Spanish) here: http://www.sra.gob.mx/internet.....sumen.html

By: eCAHNomics

eCAHNomics — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:16:18 +0000

Courtesy of NAFTA? That has certainly put the Mexican farmers out of business. Don’t know about how the financial outcome prevents entrepreneurship in Mexico, but suspect it lies in the takeover of much of Mexican banking by U.S. financial institutions.

By: Lisa Derrick

Lisa Derrick — Tue, 12 May 2009 01:11:03 +0000

From watching Roy’s documentary and Made in LA, I got a real sense that there is very little opportunity in Mexico for advancement, it is hard ot build up capital and to invest, to get a head, and only by leaving can you hope to build a better future, if not for you then fo ryour family.