A Christmas in Tent City
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Francisco and Roberto Jiménez immigrated to California from Mexico in 1947 when both were
young boys. Their parents led them across the border in search of a better life and out of the
poverty that was crippling them in rural Mexico. They arrived dreaming of “streets lined with
gold” only to find a cruel and brutal life in the migrant labor camps of California. Living in old
army tents and following the crops up and down the Central Valley, Francisco and Roberto’s
childhood was spent picking cotton, strawberries and grapes instead of playing in a park.
They didn’t speak the language and had no friends. They could rely only on their deep faith
and devoted parents. In this short film both men remember a Christmas some 60 years ago
that defined their family and the experience of so many other migrant worker families in
California. Their story is brought to life using interviews, illustrations and family photos.
A Christmas in Tent City is the first of several short films about Francisco, his family and how
they managed to escape the migrant worker camps, grow up and get an education while
avoiding deportation, and eventually become citizens. To see all of the short docs visit
Unknown Hero Stories.
These shorts will be used in part to create the feature length documentary Unknown Hero:
The Francisco Jiménez Story
If you would like to help us complete production of this film please donate by clicking the
PayPal button below.
young boys. Their parents led them across the border in search of a better life and out of the
poverty that was crippling them in rural Mexico. They arrived dreaming of “streets lined with
gold” only to find a cruel and brutal life in the migrant labor camps of California. Living in old
army tents and following the crops up and down the Central Valley, Francisco and Roberto’s
childhood was spent picking cotton, strawberries and grapes instead of playing in a park.
They didn’t speak the language and had no friends. They could rely only on their deep faith
and devoted parents. In this short film both men remember a Christmas some 60 years ago
that defined their family and the experience of so many other migrant worker families in
California. Their story is brought to life using interviews, illustrations and family photos.
A Christmas in Tent City is the first of several short films about Francisco, his family and how
they managed to escape the migrant worker camps, grow up and get an education while
avoiding deportation, and eventually become citizens. To see all of the short docs visit
Unknown Hero Stories.
These shorts will be used in part to create the feature length documentary Unknown Hero:
The Francisco Jiménez Story
If you would like to help us complete production of this film please donate by clicking the
PayPal button below.
Released: November 2008
Credits:
Michael T. Whalen - Writer/Producer/Director/Editor
Claire B. Cotts - Illustrations
Nicole C. Whalen - Associate Producer
Liam Satre-Meloy - Camera/Sound (interviews)
Tim Rosenberg - Camera/Sound effects/Assistant Editor
Running time: 7.5 minutes
Credits:
Michael T. Whalen - Writer/Producer/Director/Editor
Claire B. Cotts - Illustrations
Nicole C. Whalen - Associate Producer
Liam Satre-Meloy - Camera/Sound (interviews)
Tim Rosenberg - Camera/Sound effects/Assistant Editor
Running time: 7.5 minutes
Screenings:
Premiere, March 1, 2009 - Cinequest Film Festival,
San Jose, Ca
Premiere, March 1, 2009 - Cinequest Film Festival,
San Jose, Ca
Awards:
2009 BEA Festival of Media Arts Award of
Excellence, Faculty Short Documentary
SILVER REMI Award for Creative Excellence at the
2009 WorldFest Houston International Film
Festival
2008 Award of Excellence (short documentary:
faculty tenure track) from The Accolade
Competition
2009 BEA Festival of Media Arts Award of
Excellence, Faculty Short Documentary
SILVER REMI Award for Creative Excellence at the
2009 WorldFest Houston International Film
Festival
2008 Award of Excellence (short documentary:
faculty tenure track) from The Accolade
Competition
* All donations are greatly appreciated and
are not tax deductible.
are not tax deductible.
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