As compelling as it is to hear youths express their hearts and minds, this impassioned piece could use steady guidance. The producer aims to show how difficult life is here for immigrants and how different it is than they imagined. The narrative is disjointed and hard to follow, especially at the end. The account begins with a description of migrant workers, but no migrant worker voices are featured. Only the voices of migrant organizers are heard, so the description lacks authenticity. Then the producer interviews two of his cousins, who talk about their disappointments with the American dream, but their comments have little connection to the beginning of the story. The interviews are conducted in Spanish and though interwoven with the producer?s narrative, they get lost without translation. The piece requires good script editing and even-handed production values.
"El Americano Dream," immediately catching the listener's attention with its bilingual, almost mocking title, attempts to convey the story of migrant farm workers in America. Having read in my Spanish class this year the novella Cajas de Cart?n, which tells the story of a Latin-American migrant worker family, I could immediately place this piece in context. Narrated by a bilingual youth who conducted some of his interviews in English and some in Spanish, the piece includes elements of tragedy, commentary, and critique as well as narration. The cuts in Spanish, however, could be translated in order to clarify them for listeners who only speak English. In addition, smoother narration would add to the flow and power of the piece. Finally, although the music adds to the beginning of the piece, it should be faded later on.
Comments for El Americano Dream
Produced by Aaron Garcia
Other pieces by SpiritHouse Inc/Youth Noise Network
Rating Summary
2 comments
Yolette Garcia
Posted on January 28, 2006 at 06:46 PM | Permalink
Review of El Americano Dream
As compelling as it is to hear youths express their hearts and minds, this impassioned piece could use steady guidance. The producer aims to show how difficult life is here for immigrants and how different it is than they imagined. The narrative is disjointed and hard to follow, especially at the end. The account begins with a description of migrant workers, but no migrant worker voices are featured. Only the voices of migrant organizers are heard, so the description lacks authenticity. Then the producer interviews two of his cousins, who talk about their disappointments with the American dream, but their comments have little connection to the beginning of the story. The interviews are conducted in Spanish and though interwoven with the producer?s narrative, they get lost without translation. The piece requires good script editing and even-handed production values.
Eilis O'Neill
Posted on January 08, 2006 at 01:43 PM | Permalink
Review of El Americano Dream
"El Americano Dream," immediately catching the listener's attention with its bilingual, almost mocking title, attempts to convey the story of migrant farm workers in America. Having read in my Spanish class this year the novella Cajas de Cart?n, which tells the story of a Latin-American migrant worker family, I could immediately place this piece in context. Narrated by a bilingual youth who conducted some of his interviews in English and some in Spanish, the piece includes elements of tragedy, commentary, and critique as well as narration. The cuts in Spanish, however, could be translated in order to clarify them for listeners who only speak English. In addition, smoother narration would add to the flow and power of the piece. Finally, although the music adds to the beginning of the piece, it should be faded later on.