In California’s Central Valley, tucked between the county jail and the shooting range, 100 Mexican-American farmworking families live, love and strive at the Artesi II Migrant Family Housing Center. Until every December, that is, when they’re asked to leave. Join documentarian Aggie Ebrahimi Bazaz for a screening of "Como Vivimos (How We Live" on Thursday, April 3rd at 7:00PM EST/4:00PM PST. Following the screening, Aggie will be in conversation with virtual panelists Jessica Romero, Jose Modesto, and Maya Gonzales.
About the film:
The Artesi II Migrant Family Housing Center is home to 100 Mexican-American families whose careers are dedicated to tending California’s economic engine: agriculture. Yet, due to an antiquated set of policies, families must uproot their lives every December, move out of their apartments, remove their children from school, and travel 2,000 miles back to Mexico for at least three months. Despite U.S. citizenship and decades of contributions, this annual forced migration obstructs families’ ability to participate fully as citizens.
Como Vivimos is, on hand, a sociological analysis of state power and of the construction of second-class citizenship through bureaucratic machinery. But more centrally, the film’s point-of-view is grounded in the experiences of resident families. Through a year in the life of Artesi II, we’ll observe as families cultivate an alternative sense of belonging through ritual and community.
About the director:
Aggie Ebrahimi Bazaz is an award-winning, Iranian-American documentary filmmaker with an internationally recognized research-based practice, and a documentary scholar who has published extensively on the ethics of documentary methods. Aggie’s films have screened internationally and her work has been supported by artist residencies and fellowships including the Wexner Center for the Arts, Skidmore Storytellers Institute, and the Bay Area Video Coalition's National Mediamaker Fellowship. She earned her M.F.A. in film from Temple University in Philadelphia. She credits her work in documentary to the critical foundations laid while she was a graduate student here, at UGA, studying Multicultural American Literature in the Department of English. While at UGA, Aggie earned her master’s degree in English, a certificate in women’s and gender studies, and served as a researcher for the Civil Rights Digital Library.
About the panelists:
Jessica Romero, a passionate and dynamic teacher with deep connections to her Mexican roots and Catholic faith. With a bachelor's degree from University of the Pacific in Spanish and a background as a High School teacher, she is dedicated to her career empowering students and fostering a culture of understanding and care. Outside of her professional life, she is starting a entrepreneur life designing t-shirts. Jessica is committed to finding balance, working towards her goals and personal growth. Her dedication extends to her family, as a supportive wife, daughter, sister, and community member. Whether in the classroom, workplace, or at home, Jessica brings a blend of passion, resilience, and creativity to everything she does.
Jose Modesto is a recent graduate of Sacramento State University with a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. With over 6 years of projects and research, he is a skilled analyst of student education. As the youngest of three siblings and the son of migrant farm-working parents from Michoacan, Jose understands the necessities and privileges of two different lifestyles. As of today, Jose is an educator at French Camp Elementary School, the same elementary school that he attended. He returned to his community to make a difference in family expectations and, most importantly, to make a difference in the lives of his students. He believes that many migrant families see education or improved job opportunities as impossible; he believes that nothing is impossible.
Maya Xochitquetzal Gonzales is a freelance Director of Photography and Videographer raised in Stockton, California and currently based in Hollywood. Specializing in projects that reflect the human experience, and ultimately serve to help other people, Maya’s work has screened in film festivals across Atlanta, New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more. Maya has a keen interest in Documentaries, Music Videos, and Neo-realistic filmmaking. In 2022 she received her BA in Film & Television with a concentration in Cinematography from UCLA. She currently works within the education system in LA as a Substitute Teacher for Middle School and High School students.
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