Alex Rivera
Encyclopedia
Alex Rivera is a US film maker specialising in films about labor, immigration, and politics
Rivera, attended Hampshire College class of 1995, he studied Political Science and Media Theory. He is also a New York based digital media artist and filmmaker. Due to his knowledge and background in cinematography, his work address concerns of the Latino community concentrating on political issues such as migration, race and gender. In addition he uses language as a form of satire and humor to enhance the understanding Latinos contributions within various Anglo communities, much like the mockumentary
“A Day without a Mexican”. According to his website alexrivera.com, Rivera states that “over the past ten years he's been making work that illuminates two massive and parallel realities: the globalization of information through the internet, and the globalization of families, and communities, through mass migration.”
Rivera, captures the process of migration and the social changes immigrants face in order to be considered a model United State citizen. The issues that are presented through his films impact the Latino communities because of the realism that is presented by characters in his films. They establish relationships with audiences, not only from the Latin/Latino community, but from all those who have experience dehumanization from their host countries. Rivera wants his viewers to understand that the “American Dream, is five minutes into the future, where the relationship between technology and a variety of political issues where it is precisely through a visualization of the dehumanization of migrants through technology that the film engages with their humanization.”
and works that illustrate the transnational struggles of immigrants. Rivera’s work reveals the transnational obstacles immigrants face in fighting for inclusion in the U.S. while providing for public development back in their hometowns. Rivera’s films raise questions about “immigrant labor as a mobile commodity and the relationship of this commodity (and the bodies that perform it) to capital accumulation”. Rivera’s use of hometown associations in his films illustrates the use of transnational neighborhoods (also referred to as Transnational barrios
) as a source of organization. Rivera also illustrates how immigrants use the dollar from the U.S. to reverse U.S.’s exploitation of the immigrant’s hometown. His films also critique how U.S. immigration policy dehumanizes immigrants for their labor, and critiques neoliberal economic globalization through futuristic examples. Rivera’s most notable film for critiquing U.S. immigration policies through futuristic examples has been “The Sleep Dealer”, which is described as a “Sci-fi border saga”. Rivera is said to use influences such as "Star Wars
" and “El Norte
” to express the struggles of immigrants. In an interview Rivera draws parallels to express the U.S. as the Galactic Empire and the victims of U.S.’s immigration and economic policies as the Rebel Forces.
The Sixth Section (2003)
Why Cybraceros? (1997)
Papapá (1995)
Biography
Alex Rivera, was born in 1973 New York City, New York. His father is a Peruvian immigrant and his mother is an American citizen. Growing up as a bicultural youth in New Jersey, he took an interest in the fields of film, digital media and Sci-Fi. He is well known for his work Sleep Dealer, which premiered in the Sundance Film Festival 2008. In the same year, he was awarded the Alfred P Sloan Feature Prize and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award.Rivera, attended Hampshire College class of 1995, he studied Political Science and Media Theory. He is also a New York based digital media artist and filmmaker. Due to his knowledge and background in cinematography, his work address concerns of the Latino community concentrating on political issues such as migration, race and gender. In addition he uses language as a form of satire and humor to enhance the understanding Latinos contributions within various Anglo communities, much like the mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
“A Day without a Mexican”. According to his website alexrivera.com, Rivera states that “over the past ten years he's been making work that illuminates two massive and parallel realities: the globalization of information through the internet, and the globalization of families, and communities, through mass migration.”
Rivera, captures the process of migration and the social changes immigrants face in order to be considered a model United State citizen. The issues that are presented through his films impact the Latino communities because of the realism that is presented by characters in his films. They establish relationships with audiences, not only from the Latin/Latino community, but from all those who have experience dehumanization from their host countries. Rivera wants his viewers to understand that the “American Dream, is five minutes into the future, where the relationship between technology and a variety of political issues where it is precisely through a visualization of the dehumanization of migrants through technology that the film engages with their humanization.”
Works
Alex Rivera had made films about labor, immigration, and politics since the 1990s. Some of his work has been viewed as mockumentariesMockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
and works that illustrate the transnational struggles of immigrants. Rivera’s work reveals the transnational obstacles immigrants face in fighting for inclusion in the U.S. while providing for public development back in their hometowns. Rivera’s films raise questions about “immigrant labor as a mobile commodity and the relationship of this commodity (and the bodies that perform it) to capital accumulation”. Rivera’s use of hometown associations in his films illustrates the use of transnational neighborhoods (also referred to as Transnational barrios
Transnational barrios
Transnational Barrios as a concept within Latin American and Latino studies explains the social construction of space, place, culture, traditions, and artistic symbolic meanings that are established beyond national boundaries by diverse Latina/o populations in communities of a hosting country...
) as a source of organization. Rivera also illustrates how immigrants use the dollar from the U.S. to reverse U.S.’s exploitation of the immigrant’s hometown. His films also critique how U.S. immigration policy dehumanizes immigrants for their labor, and critiques neoliberal economic globalization through futuristic examples. Rivera’s most notable film for critiquing U.S. immigration policies through futuristic examples has been “The Sleep Dealer”, which is described as a “Sci-fi border saga”. Rivera is said to use influences such as "Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
" and “El Norte
El Norte (film)
El Norte is an American and British film, directed by Gregory Nava. The screenplay was written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The movie was first presented at the Telluride Film Festival in 1983, and its wide release was in January 1984....
” to express the struggles of immigrants. In an interview Rivera draws parallels to express the U.S. as the Galactic Empire and the victims of U.S.’s immigration and economic policies as the Rebel Forces.
Awards and Nominations
Sleep Dealer (2008)- Sundance Film Festival- Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award & Alfred P. Sloan Award 2008
- Berlin International Film- Festival Amnesty International Award 2008
- Neuchatel International Fantasy Film- Festival (Best of the Festival) 2008
- Gotham Awards, Nominee- Breakthrough Director 2008
- Independent Spirit Awards- Nominee Best First Feature 2008
The Sixth Section (2003)
- Guanajuato Film Festival- Best Documentary 2004
- UrbanWorld Film Festival- Best Documentary 2004
Why Cybraceros? (1997)
- Cine Festival-Best Experimental 1997
Papapá (1995)
- Chicago Intercom Competition-Silver Hugo 1995
- New York Expo of Short Film and Video-Silver Award 1995
Filmography
- “Papapapá”- 1995
- “Dia de la Independencia”- 1997
- “Why Cybraceros?”-1997
- "Signs of the Times”-1997
- “Mysterious Apparations on Tortillas”-1997
- “Latinos on TV”-1997
- “UFW March for Women's Rights”-1998
- “Las Papas del Papa”-1999
- “Conspiracy Club for Men”-2000
- “The Borders Trilogy”-2002
- “The Sixth Section”-2003
- “The Sleep Dealer”- 2008