Premiere Date: June 22, 2004
Synopsis
The shocking hate-based attempted murders of two Mexican day laborers catapult a small Long Island town into national headlines, unmasking a new front line in the border wars: suburbia. For nearly a year, Carlos Sandoval and Catherine Tambini lived and worked in Farmingville, New York, so they could capture first-hand the stories of residents, day laborers and activists on all sides of the debate. This timely and powerful film is more than a story about illegal immigration. Ultimately it challenges viewers to ask what the 'American dream' really means. An Independent Television Service (ITVS) and Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) co-presentation. An Active Voice selection. A 2004 Election Issue Special.
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Film Update
June 17, 2004
Critical Acclaim
Farmingville is a primer for anyone — whether lawmaker or citizen — who cares to better understand the usually unseen cost of America's appetite for cheap labor.”
— Carolyn Curiel,
The New York Times
Farmingville ...should become required viewing for every decision-maker and local official in the State of New York.”
Newsday editorial
It has something illuminating to say to every faction depicted or alluded to in its 86 minutes: the rabidly resistant, the blindly tolerant and, perhaps most of all, the big-picture leaders who need to see — and sweat — the small stuff.”
— Noel Holston, Newsday
It may well be the most important film to debut at the Sundance Film Festival. The film is Farmingville, a hard-hitting documentary about the impact of illegal aliens on one small New York community. ...It is an absolutely terrific documentary on a complex, difficult subject. ...and allows us to get to know all sides of this dispute.”
— Lou Dobbs, Lou Dobbs Tonight, CNN
A Co-Presentation of
Reviews & Reactions
Average Review
| based on 9 reviews
Crime against Illegal aliens
Editor:
I am an American citizen of Hispanic heritage and I live in California, ground zero and the welfare state for illegal immigration.
Crime by mostly Mexicans against Mexicans is staggering. According to a report by the Center for Immigration Studies, Washington, DC, "In Los Angeles, 95 per cent of all warrants for homicide (12,000 to 15,000) target illegal aliens. Two-thirds of fugitive felony warrants (17,000) are for illegal aliens."
I suggest Mr. Sandoval and Ms. Tambini come to Los Angeles and see for themselves the crime among illegal aliens.
by Carmen from West Hills, , California
October 16, 2009, 1:34 PM
i think they were being childish about it.
by Forrest Mauger
October 23, 2009, 6:25 PM
I believe that the immigrants deserve to live in Farmingsville. As i heard in the movie, we are all children of God, as well as the citizens of Farmingsville and should have the same rights. I think that most people could agree that their family is one of the most important things in their lives. Having said that, the immigrants are very hard working people and are trying to support their families just as the americans are trying to do. The many complaints being made by americans are very ignorant and they do not provide reasonable information to support their opinions. The americans that do not want the immigrants here want a solution, but are noit willing to compromise as the immigrants are trying so hard to obtain. I think that we need to work together to find a solution and keep the immigrants here because it is not causing harm or issues. The people against them are causing the chaos and hatrred that is unneccesary.
by Ashlee from White City, Oregon
October 23, 2009, 6:26 PM
I believe that the immigrants deserve to live in Farmingsville. As i heard in the movie, we are all children of God, as well as the citizens of Farmingsville and should have the same rights. I think that most people could agree that their family is one of the most important things in their lives. Having said that, the immigrants are very hard working people and are trying to support their families just as the americans are trying to do. The many complaints being made by americans are very ignorant and they do not provide reasonable information to support their opinions. The americans that do not want the immigrants here want a solution, but are noit willing to compromise as the immigrants are trying so hard to obtain. I think that we need to work together to find a solution and keep the immigrants here because it is not causing harm or issues. The people against them are causing the chaos and hatrred that is unneccesary.
by Ashlee from White City, Oregon
October 23, 2009, 6:27 PM
Let them be.
It appears to be that we don't just don't know who to blame. Many Americans blame "Mexicans" (there are more nationalities of illegal immigrants that are not Mexican) for everything. But I think that this just seems to be a scapegoat strategy. Who we need to redirect our anger, and concern is to our government. Our businesses are the ones that benefit from cheap labor, and that's why nothing is being done. The people should stop directing their anger and frustration at the illegal immigrants. They are hard working people that risked their lives to find a better life. They work for what they get, we should just leave them alone! We need to let them breathe, why can't we let them live. They already have to deal with trying to adapt to a foreign culture, why do we have to constantly point our fingers at them?
by Jenn from Brooklyn, N.Y
October 27, 2009, 4:41 PM
Our country was built off of immigrants so keep that in mind
by Valerie
October 29, 2009, 9:39 AM
Just One Question
Just saw the movie. To me, it is just a picture of normal human nature in action -- on BOTH sides of the issue. Nothing more but nothing less! And, nothing new or surprising. However, one question remains unanswered for me. Why can not legal residents (including immigrants!) successfully oppose (and REMEDY!) inaction by law makers and law enforement authorities to remove ILLEGAL "immigrants" in USA (or, in ANY country!), as long as it is done without any discrimination, REGARDLESS of race, color, sex, religion, cast, creed or whatever? What is wrong in it? It seems so right & patriotic towards the taxpayers and legal residents (though albeit to the detriment of USA businesses that thrive on exploiting cheap illegal labor)! p.s. I am a retired non-white legal immigrant and a citizen of many years, with even a non-english mother-tongue.
by Peter from Bluff City, TN
December 1, 2009, 1:01 AM
From a former Farmingville resident
I lived in Farmingville for the first 35 years of my life. The degradation that has ocurred in my hometown is disgusting. These film makers lived there for one year which isn't enough to truly embrace how this influx of illegals has hurt Farmingville and its lifelong residents. The school districts have to accommodate their children while our property taxes are outrageous! They live in illegal housing and don't pay taxes so the burden falls on it's hard working residents to foot the bill. They move around in packs and create an eyesore on the roads while waiting for work. THIS IS AMERICA!!!! It's unfair and something has to be done. Stop with the bleeding hearts already.
by Janine from Farmingville, NY
January 3, 2010, 5:01 PM
I agree with Janine from Farmingville. I am also a former resident of Farmingville. I was raised in that town. It's not the same as when u was growing up. Everywhere you go you see them all hanging around outside of the stores.
by Theresa from Farmingville, N.Y.
February 2, 2010, 10:18 PM