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The Fence (La Barda)

The Fence (La Barda)

2010

Not Rated

Director

Rory Kennedy

Runtime

36 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

In Oct. 2006, the U.S. government decided to build a 700-mile fence along its troubled 2000-mile-plus border with Mexico. Three years, 19 construction companies, 350 engineers, thousands of construction workers, tens of thousands of tons of metal and $3 billion later, was it all worth it? When Arizona recently enacted one of the most extreme immigration laws in the country, the Obama administration responded by filing a lawsuit against the state. This dispute was merely the latest symptom of a greater national problem: the lack of a comprehensive, workable U.S. immigration policy. In its place, lawmakers have resorted to a series of half-measures, the most expensive of which — the U.S.-Mexico border fence — extends through the desert 150 miles south of the Arizona state capital.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

7.7/10

Good

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Fair

The film maintains a neutral stance regarding queer identities. It avoids derogatory tropes but does not center LGBTQ+ narratives as a primary lens for the border crisis.

Gender Representation

Fair

The documentary provides a nuanced view of women within the migrant community. It disrupts hierarchies by focusing on civilian vulnerability rather than state or military masculinity.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

The film excels by centering Mexican and Latin American identities. It grants these populations agency through direct testimony, challenging Anglo-centric views of border security.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The narrative critiques Western institutional power and nationalism. It prioritizes the struggles of marginalized, low-income communities over the preservation of traditional border sanctity.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no prominent or sustained focus on visible or invisible disabilities within the documentary's narrative.

Strengths

  • Centers Mexican and Latin American identities through direct, personal testimonies.
  • Challenges Anglo-centric security narratives by prioritizing human rights over state sovereignty.
  • Provides significant agency to marginalized populations rather than treating them as passive subjects.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks a specific focus on LGBTQ+ identities or queer narratives within the immigration crisis.
  • Does not provide a sustained exploration of disability representation.
  • Gender representation remains moderate without deeper subversion of gender-specific issues.

AI Analysis

Rory Kennedy’s documentary shifts the border discourse from state security to human rights. By utilizing a post-colonial framework, the film centers the lived experiences of those impacted by enforcement rather than focusing solely on government policy. The work is strongest in its portrayal of racial and ethnic identities, providing significant agency to Mexican and Latin American voices. This approach effectively challenges traditional Western notions of sovereignty and nationalism. While the film is highly progressive in its systemic critique, it lacks specific focus on LGBTQ+ or disability-related narratives. This results in a moderate score for gender and a neutral stance on queer representation.

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