America ReFramed

Indie Films Series / 7 Seasons

America ReFramed brings to life compelling stories, personal voices and experiences that illuminate the contours of our ever-changing country. Since 2012, the series has premiered 170 films - more than half helmed by female makers and a third credited to BIPOC makers - centering stories of the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, the formerly incarcerated, veterans, immigrants and more.

Watch Latest: S12 E6

1h 12m / TV-PG

Como Vivimos (How We Live) | Migrant Separation

59s / TV-PG

Jessica Romero, a high school student, talks with her guidance counselor, Jessica Muñoz, about spending her senior year away from her family. She is staying in California while her parents must remain in Mexico due to the state's migrant laws that mandate they do not live in the area for at least 3 months.

Como Vivimos (How We Live) | Migrant Housing

58s / TV-PG

In the spring, migrant farm workers arrive to one of California's 24 migrant housing centers to try to "win" the apartment lottery. If they and their family are lucky enough, they have to follow the rules of the state in order to live there, including moving 50 miles away once the center closes for the season, leaving school-age children with only a part-year education.

Como Vivimos (How We Live) | Migrant Work

34s / TV-PG

After moving into the housing centers in the spring, migrant farm workers are ready for the growing and harvesting seasons that come with agricultural work. Some people are young and just starting out while others have been farming for decades and are used to the temporariness of the lifestyle.

Como Vivimos (How We Live) | Migrant Education

57s / TV-PG

Students like José Modesto are absent from school to no fault of their own. Their parents are migrant farm workers and are allowed to live near their school for only part of the year when the housing centers are open. Where do they go in the off-season? Families must live 50 miles away as part of state housing rules and so with the rising cost of unsubsidized housing, most go to Mexico.

Como Vivimos (How We Live) | Migrant Mental Health

57s / TV-PG

José Modesto and other migrant high school students attend school for part of the year due to California's strict state housing rules. This not only means they are missing out on academics but time to make friends, commit to afterschool activities like sports and clubs, and go to key social events. In such vulnerable coming of age years, the mental health of students is tested.

Como Vivimos (How We Live) | Preview

30s / TV-PG

In California’s Central Valley, hundreds of Latinx youth miss months of school annually, because they live with their families in one of the state’s farmworker housing centers. These subsidized apartments require families to move out each winter and relocate at least 50 miles away before being allowed to return in the spring. These cycles of displacement come at a high cost to families’ futures.

Como Vivimos (How We Live) | Trailer

1m 25s / TV-PG

In California’s Central Valley, hundreds of Latinx youth miss months of school annually, because they live with their families in one of the state’s farmworker housing centers. These subsidized apartments require families to move out each winter and relocate at least 50 miles away before being allowed to return in the spring. These cycles of displacement come at a high cost to families’ futures.

In Search of Bengali Harlem | An Identity in Hip Hop

1m 34s / TV-PG

Alaudin Ullah talks about the cultural revolution known as hip hop in Harlem. Ullah felt like an outsider when he was growing up so he connected to the music and the people. But this also meant a rejection of his Bangladeshi culture which his parents did not understand as they were proud of who they were and where they came from.

In Search of Bengali Harlem | A Father's Past

55s / TV-PG

Growing up, Alaudin Ullah was at odd with his parents and his Bengali culture. Now as an adult, Ullah is learning about who his father was and how he immigrated to America, and the meeting and marriage between his parents. What he uncovers throughout his journey is eye opening.

In Search of Bengali Harlem | Trailer

1m 6s / TV-PG

As a teen, Alaudin Ullah was swept up by the energy of hip-hop and rebelled against his Bangladeshi roots. Now a playwright contending with post-9/11 Hollywood’s Islamophobia, he sets out to tell his parents’ stories. IN SEARCH OF BENGALI HARLEM tracks his quest from mid-20th-century Harlem to Bangladesh, unveiling intertwined histories of South Asian Muslims, African Americans, and Puerto Ricans.

In Search of Bengali Harlem | Growing Up Bengali American

56s / TV-PG

Alaudin Ullah talks about his childhood experience as both Bengali and American in Harlem, New York. The stand-up comedian and playwright shares how he and his family were viewed and the affect it had on him throughout his early years in public school.

Hundreds of Thousands | A Call for Change

54s / TV-PG

Stevie Walker-Webb, who lived in a community-built prison cell for 24 hours as a representation of solitary confinement, shares his hopes and fears for incarcerated people with mental illness like his brother. Waday Walker has stayed in solitary for 122 days after being arrested during a mental health crisis.

Hundreds of Thousands | Brothers

58s / TV-PG

Stevie and Waday Walker-Webb talk on the phone about Waday's wishes after he is released from prison - he was arrested during a mental health crisis. Stevie is working with family members who have incarcerated loved ones to present and protest solitary confinement through a 24-hour representation.

Hundreds of Thousands | Solitary Confinement

1m 4s / TV-PG

For 24 hours, Stevie Walker-Webb is staying in a community-built box that represents a solitary confinement cell. His inspiration is his brother Waday, who is incarcerated in solitary for 122 days and the purpose is to show the inhumanity of confining a person with mental illness.

Hundreds of Thousands | Trailer

54s / TV-PG

In HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, a family reeling from the unjust incarceration of an ailing mentally ill loved one, calls on their faith and the strength of community to right a systemic wrong. Music, love and creativity are used to permeate the isolation of a solitary confinement cell, and a public performance on prison grounds is used to challenge the state to do better.

Hundreds of Thousands | Preview

30s / TV-PG

In HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, a family reeling from the unjust incarceration of an ailing mentally ill loved one, calls on their faith and the strength of community to right a systemic wrong. Music, love and creativity are used to permeate the isolation of a solitary confinement cell, and a public performance on prison grounds is used to challenge the state to do better.

What These Walls Won't Hold | Best Friends

2m 27s / TV-PG

Adamu Chan and Isa Borgeson are best friends through thick and thin. Although Chan's incarceration has kept them apart, they are still able to share their hopes and dreams for the future when freedom becomes a reality. Borgeson herself has been leading an effort to support Chan and other loved ones at California's San Quentin while the COVID-19 pandemic rages inside the walls of the prison.

Beyond the Lens: What These Walls Won't Hold | Adamu Chan

10m 26s / TV-PG

Director Adamu Chan and Natasha Del Toro, host of America ReFramed, talk about WHAT THESE WALLS WON'T HOLD and the story behind the documentary. Chan, who was incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison, shares why he chose to focus on the relationships between people inside the walls and the loved ones on the outside. The director also opens up about his own experience, impact, and filmmaking.

What These Walls Won't Hold | Healing Power of Filmmaking

22s / TV-PG

They say art heals and it is what director Adamu Chan discovered when he picked up a camera while incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison. Chan, who worked with others on the inside, learned filmmaking, shared his art through videos, and found a purpose that led to healing and eventually making the documentary, WHAT THESE WALLS WON'T HOLD.

What These Walls Won't Hold | The Root of Incarceration

32s / TV-PG

Incarcerated at California's San Quentin State Prison, Rahsaan Thomas talks with Lonnie Morris about incarceration and the inhumanity of it, including why people get involved in crime and how isolation is the root cause.

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