Film screening highlights immigrants’ positive impact

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A documentary profiling four immigrant women living in New York will be screened 7-9 p.m. Friday (Oct. 14) in Krannert Auditorium.

The Purdue University Department of English and Writing and Rhetoric Program will present a free showing of “Vanishing Borders.”

The film tells the story of four women transforming their communities through their work, activism and the way their culture influences interactions with others.

“I think it’s important for us to understand that immigrants are human beings with really powerful stories,” said Alexandra Hidalgo, a professor of writing, rhetoric and American cultures at Michigan State University as well as the film's writer and director. “The more we hear these personalized stories, the more we become compassionate.” 

Hidalgo, an immigrant from Venezuela, earned her doctorate at Purdue in rhetoric and composition. She will discuss the documentary with associate professor of English Jennifer Bay. That discussion will be followed by a Q&A session.

Hidalgo said the film is particularly relevant during this election season with the issue of immigration a point of contention from candidates, the media and the public. 

Writer: Howard Hewitt, 765-494-9541, hhewitt@purdue.edu 

Sources: Jennifer Bay, jbay@purdue.edu Alexandra Hidalgo, Alexandra.hidalgo@gmail.com

Note to Journalists: Hidalgo will be available for media interviews by phone in advance.