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Immigration remains a hot-button issue in the United States. Questions regarding how illegal immigration affects our country and how we should deal with the problem are plentiful, but we do not often hear about the places the migrants leave behind. In celebration of the Bicentennial of Mexican Independence “2,501 Migrants: A Journey,” brings us to the small Mexican state of Oaxaca, where artist Alejandro Santiago uses his art to rejuvenate a community.
Oaxaca is the largest exporter of human labor to the United States, so when successful artist Alejandro Santiago returned to his native Teococuilco after living in France for a while, he was sad to see that the town had been all but completely abandoned. As a tribute to those who left to seek work in America, Santiago came up with a giant artistic enterprise—2,501 life-size sculptures representing each of the migrants.
Santiago enlists the help of several of the natives of the indigenous community and under his apprenticeship they are not only introduced to sculpting, but experience a reawakening to their home, their history and their culture.
“2,501 Migrants: A Journey,” is the seventh documentary from Yolanda Cruz, who is also from Oaxaca. Like her other films, “2,501 Migrants,” includes the theme of indigenous Mexicans, but the heart of the film isn’t reduced to thematic points, or facts and figures. While Cruz does tap into theories of the affects of migration on the Mexican town, and while she does tap into the stories of exploitation, the film focuses on a community that reclaims their identity.
The result is an inspiring display of promise and determination reincarnated in a group of people who previously saw little hope or relief. The ambition behind Santiago’s project is overwhelming itself, but the passion behind the follow through is even more rousing. It is a true testament of purpose and inspiration to watch as Santiago as he not only supplies these people with small salaries, but also supplies them with nurturing guidance, going as far as buying livestock for his ranch after his workers complained about being out of their element.
“2,501 Migrants: A Journey,” examines migration, roots, art, progress, history and how they intertwine. And, while the 2,501 sculptures represent the people who left Oaxaca, the film is really about the people who remain. It’s not only about what is lost, but what is preserved.
Sanela Djokovic is a writer living in the Bronx
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