Fruits of Labor Discussion Guide

Ashley, a Mexican-American teenager living in California, dreams of graduating high school and going to college. But when ICE raids threaten her family, Ashley is forced to become the breadwinner, working days in the strawberry fields and nights at a food processing company. A co-presentation of POV and VOCES, co-produced by POV and Latino Public Broadcasting. Official Selection, SXSW Film Festival.

This guide is an invitation to dialogue. It is based on a belief in the power of human connection and designed for people who want to use Fruits of Labor to engage family, friends, classmates, colleagues, and communities. In contrast to initiatives that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that they are right, this document envisions conversations undertaken in a spirit of openness in which people try to understand one another and expand their thinking by sharing viewpoints and listening actively.

The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film. Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that best meet your needs and interests. And be sure to leave time to consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave the room feeling energized and optimistic, even in instances when conversations have been difficult.

Glynnis Ritter (she/her), a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a film festival programmer and outreach producer with a particular interest in documentaries that bring attention to environmental and human rights issues. Her previous work includes programming and producing for Cinema Planeta Film Festival in Mexico, Patagonia Eco Film Festival in Argentina, Nordisk Panorama Film Festival in Sweden and production company WG Film in Sweden.