Director-writer Alan Barr’s Accidental Expat is an incredibly moving film about the struggles of deportation, confronting a reality many of us do not see. Raymond (Edgar de Santiago) has been deported to Mexico City from Texas, leaving behind his family and the only country he has ever known. Thrust into an unknown world, Raymond stays with his father who left his family for Mexico when he was 8 months old. While struggling with his complicated, at times abusive, relationship with his father, Raymond goes out in search of a job and friends to keep him stable. His enduring dream: get a tourist Visa approved to go back to the US. Leaving us with no clear resolution, Barr offers us an immersive look into the experiences of a deportee. Impact of the movie was even more substantial given the current political climate of the US.
From the beginning, we are hit with melancholy washing over the movie. Raymond has an enduring dissonance to his actions, as if he is never quite sure where he is. He sits down with his father, Miguel (Enrique Arreola) at the dinner table, shot with soft colors and a horizontal view of the two men, separated both physically and by time. It is immediately clear he does not belong. Raymond’s American accent is a stark contrast to his father’s Mexican one. His features are expressive and Santiago’s performance elicits major sympathy from the audience. Arreola’s performance adds to the sadness surrounding them, dealing with his health issues and conflicting personality with his son. Both actors deliver a wonderfully frustrating portrayal of an estranged family.
“…Raymond has been deported to Mexico City from Texas, leaving behind his family…”
As Raymond explores Mexico, we feel we are discovering it with him. There are beautiful shots of nature and the hurried streets of the city. In some scenes he navigates through the chaotic metropolis, the sounds of cars and people feel unnatural and contribute to the unease growing within him. This use of sound as an emotional device alongside the busy set creates an atmosphere across the film. Getting a job at a call service center, he meets Hector (Axel Alcántara) who takes him to bars and introduces him to locals. He then meets Monica (Fátima Favela) and they experience an unstable romance, with Raymond ashamed to tell her of his deportee status. Mexico never truly becomes easier for him, just more comfortable in its unfamiliarity.
Accidental Expat is from Raymond’s point of view and it is an important story to tell. He has been unfairly affected by immigration laws and suffered the ultimate consequence, being ripped from his family. This tale of dejection, hope, and perseverance is an eye-opening watch for all wanting to understand the consequences of deportation.
"…an eye-opening watch..."
