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PEOPLE & ARTS Saturday 5 OctOber 2019
Netflix’s ‘Living Undocumented’ probes plight of migrants

By RUSSELL CONTRERAS laws or add context to
Associated Press situations. Everything else
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) is told through the eyes of
— After two decades in the migrants. “It’s by de-
the U.S., Alejandra Juarez sign,” Saidman said. “Their
thought she had it made. dreams shape the series.”
She came to the country But the series has horrific
illegally after fleeing vio- moments. In the first epi-
lence in Mexico but had sodes, we meet Diaz, who
built a middle-class life in must turn over his son to his
Davenport, Florida, with her girlfriend, Kenia Bautista-
husband, Temo, a retired Mayorga, who’s in deten-
U.S. Marine who voted for tion in Kansas City, Missouri,
Donald Trump. and scheduled to be de-
After Trump became presi- ported to Honduras with
dent, Alejandra Juarez dis- her child.
covered that federal immi- Diaz is also in the country
gration authorities had tak- This image released by Netflix shows Luis Diaz, a migrant from Honduras who is living in the U.S. illegally and must decide
en an interest in her case. illegally, holding his son Noah in Kansas City, Mo., before the child and his mother are deported if he risks deportation him-
She soon found herself in a scene from the six-episode docuseries “Living Undocumented” currently streaming Netflix. self by giving her a hug
deported despite protests, Associated Press goodbye while handing
a congressional bill and immigration decisions and didn’t give their last names, grants who was exposed over their crying son. U.S.
emotional pleas from her try to celebrate birthdays, left amid violence and to immigration issues in the immigration authorities go
young daughters. “Living bat mitzvahs and family overstayed their visas. food industry while working back on a promise to allow
Undocumented,” a new cookouts in Florida, Texas Vinny Phankhaysy, a refu- on “The Mind of a Chef,” the couple to say goodbye
Netflix documentary series, and South Carolina. Fami- gee from Laos who has a a popular PBS series. Said- outside the federal build-
investigates her story and lies do their best to live in South Carolina accent, man said the filmmakers ing. He must come inside.
the diversity of migrants the present while threats of faces deportation after spent time with immigrant “I feel guilty that I had it so
caught in the intricate U.S deportation loom because the Trump administration families in their everyday easy,” Chai said. Saidman
immigration system where of changing policies and determined a drug con- lives, as they crack eggs, said he and Chai did their
uncertainty and pain often laws. The series comes as viction 15 years ago made check their phones, play best not to make political
battle dreams. Trump is trying to stop the him undesirable. Co-direc- with their kids and drive statements with the series.
The six-episode series that’s flow of migrants, many of tors Anna Chai and Aaron around town. Those often But he hopes viewers put
now streaming follows the them fleeing violence, from Saidman said they wanted mundane habits show how pressure on elected officials
lives of eight families from coming to the U.S. through to create a series that al- migrants are just like every- to push for reforms. “I’m
Latin America, Israel, Laos the Mexican border. lowed the immigrants to one else despite their im- really struck how hopeful
and Africa who try to live Luis Diaz came to the U.S. speak for themselves and migration status, Saidman all of the immigrants are,”
normal lives in the U.S. de- from Honduras by riding in settings where they felt said. Saidman said. “They still be-
spite family members’ im- “the beast” — the feared comfortable. “After build- The series has no narra- lieve in the American sys-
migration status. train from Central America ing trust, they were eager tor. The only time immigra- tem. As an American, this
For weeks, film crews fol- to Mexico. Ron and Karen, to share their stories,” said tion lawyers or policymak- has renewed my faith in the
low families as they await a couple from Israel who Chai, a daughter of immi- ers appear are to explain American dream.”q

Stephen, Tabitha King plan

changes to iconic Maine home

By DAVID SHARP one in Florida, where they the idea with neighbors,
Associated Press have more privacy, said and the city planning
Stephen and Tabitha King Warren Silver, the Kings’ board gave its nod Tues-
are ready for the next attorney who is speaking day night, Silver said. City
chapter for their Victorian on behalf of the couple. council will have the final
mansion that stands be- Under the proposal from say later this month.
hind a wrought iron gate the couple, the archives The fictional Maine town
festooned with winged formerly held at the Uni- of Derry that appears in
creatures and spiderwebs. versity of Maine, the Kings’ many of King’s tales, in-
The authors want to trans- alma mater, would be cluding “It,” is based on
form the home where they moved along with the the author’s experiences This May 16, 2005, file photo shows the home of authors
raised their children in foundation’s offices to the in Bangor. Stephen and Tabitha King in Bangor, Maine.
Bangor, Maine, into the lo- home. Scholars and others Years ago, King used to Associated Press
cation for Stephen King’s could request to see the hand out candy to trick- a higher value on their pri- of Maine, which takes visi-
personal archives. A guest materials, which would or-treaters at his Bangor vacy, which they can find tors to sites around Bangor
house they own next door be available by appoint- home. But that was before at their other homes, Silver that inspired the author.
would host writers in resi- ment. the crowds became too said. “It’s fair to say he’s “It’s a real thrill for peo-
dence. The house next door, large and tour buses start- looking for privacy at this ple to meet him. He’s so
While the Kings consider which the Kings bought in ed arriving with greater stage of his life,” he said. well-known and loved
Bangor to be their home, 2004, would provide hous- numbers of camera-toting But Stephen King still oc- throughout the world. It’s
they are spending less ing for up to five writers in visitors. casionally greets fans out- just amazing,” said Tinker,
time there in favor of an- residence at a time. These days, Stephen King, side that home, said Stu who has known the Kings
other home in Maine and The Kings already cleared 72, and Tabitha, 70, place Tinker, operator of SK Tours for years. q