Directed by Amy Leland and written by leading actress Tiffany Hodges, when a first-time volunteer accompanies undocumented refugees through their court appearances, she learns first-hand how America’s broken immigration system breeds racial injustice that destroys lives. Also starring: Marcia Haufrecht, Pedro Dinavez, Duane Ferguson, Jade Madisyn, Paul DeBoy, Nelson Avidon, Suzanne Froix and Cristina Doikos.
Tackling key current issues in short film can be incredibly impactful and it can also be decidedly difficult to pack such large topics into such brief runtimes. Displaced falls into both camps, it’s telling a poignant story that needs to be championed but does struggle to capture all of that within twenty minutes. However, starting off with its strengths, the way that they portray how such important, life-changing verdicts can be thrown off through pedantic, bureaucratic details is well done.
Tiffany Hodges nicely captures how infuriating and cold the immigration process can be, adding in curveballs and unnecessary difficulties which cause intense stress and fracture families. It’s something that’s also well portrayed through the performances, they instil that mix of outrage and need to push on in spite of it. Hodges in particular gets to grips with the idea that spending even just a few hours watching this process will instil the fury and fire to fight back against it.
Whereas Marcia Haufrecht gives us the entrenched perspective, forever angry but focusing instead on how to play the game, putting people first over politics. Then we have an ensemble behind them to portray the immigrant’s perspective, the confusion and uncertainty. It’s a good balance of different views to give a wider look at the subject.
However, it can feel as though the style and tone are holding it back from hitting a more powerful note. It can be fairly stiff and feel as though it’s trying a bit too hard rather than bringing through a sharpness or quicker pace to heighten the atmosphere. The emotions are certainly there, but that’s the only layer we’re getting, it’s missing a bigger depth and complexity to match the subject at hand.
Displaced takes on a weighty topic and portrays the infuriating intricacies that often change the course of immigrants’ lives. The style can be simple and feel a tad formulated but the story has a big heart and an important message. The performances are solid across the board, writer Tiffany Hodges does a great job of providing a guide through this minefield of bureaucracy and seemingly never-ending struggles. It’s a shame it doesn’t have the sharpness and brevity to add a more piercing power but it’s a meaningful tale with strong roots to everyday experiences.
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