Short documentary about Casa Marianella in Austin, Texas. Directed by John Fiege (during first year in film school). For more information, visit fiegefilms.com/ or casamarianella.org/. Film description (for 2003 Cine las Americas International Film Festival):
This documentary is a portrait of life in East Austin's Casa Marianella and a window into the often misrepresented lives of undocumented immigrants. Thousands of immigrants from Latin America arrive in Austin each year to search for work, family or friends. Some settle in Austin while others merely pass through. Many of these immigrants find beds, food, clothing and English classes at Casa Marianella, a shelter in East Austin that was founded in 1986. They can stay for up to a month while they seek stable housing and employment. The intimate stories of several Casa Marianella residents, presented in this documentary, invite us to share in their aspirations, difficulties and humanity.