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A Better Life

FEATURE EVENT | Mar 21, 2012 7:00pm

a benefit for Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op
A Better Life | a Reel Causes benefit for Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op
Trailer • 98 mins. PG • VIFF Vancity Theatre

Demián Bichir Best Actor Nominee, 2012 Academy Awards

“In his brilliant, tender and compelling masterpiece.. director Chris Weitz.. personalizes the illegal immigrant experience”

ALSO FEATURING A MEXICAN FOLK DANCE PERFORMANCE + SILENT AUCTION

Synopsis and Reviews
A Better Life begins with Carlos Galindo (Demián Bichir) waking up and going to work. He works as part of a two-man crew with Blasco Martinez (Joaquín Cosio) as a gardener. Blasco is ready to return to Mexico and continually tries to persuade Carlos to purchase his business from him, which includes the work truck and professional gardening tools … Carlos’ son Luis (José Julián) is in high school and is dating Ruthie Valdez, the niece of a prominent and powerful local gang leader. Although Ruthie’s influences get Luis into trouble, she sincerely loves and cares about him. Luis regularly goes to her house after school and is surrounded by gangs and the violence of the streets … read more

It seems we only get to hear about America’s phantom citizens — the millions of undocumented Mexican, Cuban, Asian, African and Caribbean immigrants whose underpaid work and tacit servitude keep the nation’s economy running — as perps and criminals who’ve run afoul of official U.S. largesse and the country’s draconian Immigration and Naturalization Service … In his brilliant, tender and compelling masterpiece A Better Life, American director Chris Weitz (Twilight: New Moon, About A Boy) personalizes the illegal immigrant experience and digs much deeper into what has become a national disgrace – Greg Quill TORONTO STAR … read more

Photo: Demian Bicher as

Filmmakers
Chris Weitz – Director
Starring Demián Bichir, José Julián, Dolores Heredia, Joaquín Cosio

About Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op

Approximately 2,000 farm workers come to the Fraser Valley from Mexico each year supporting the province’s very important agricultural industry. Although they have mandatory, self-paid, private health insurance, they can experience many difficulties accessing health services because they usually only speak Spanish and their long working hours coincide with operational hours for clinics … The Umbrella Multicultural Health Co-op is a Vancouver based independent, non-profit organization that operates the Umbrella Mobile Clinic, targeting the unique health needs of the temporary farm workers…

Photo: Farm Workers in the Fraser Valley
Photo: Farm Workers in the Fraser Valley


Banner: A Better Life


Photo: Joaquín Cosio Photo: Delores Heredia Photo: Jose Julian

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About Reel Causes Society

Reel Causes partners with filmmakers and Canadian causes dedicated to addressing global social justice issues. We host film screenings followed by a Q&A session to educate and inspire our community, and provide a forum for authentic conversation aroundF the issues that affect us locally.

City of Vancouver
BC Arts Council
Canada Council for the Arts
SFU's Vancity Office of Community  Engagement
Consumer Protection BC