Narrative | DVD
Director: Michael Arago
Ethnicity: Filipino
Subjects: Identity, Multiracial/Ethnic Heritage, New Immigrants and Refugees (Past & Present), Racism
Grade Levels: High school and up
This short film takes place in San Francisco, 1951, focusing on the experience of a young Filipino American trying to adjust to his predominantly Caucasian workplace. It explores the subtleties of how racism affects members of a multi-ethnic family, most tellingly when a mixed-blood sibling denies his ethnic heritage and “passes” as an Italian American in order to fit in.
Thought provoking and intriguing, SILENCIO is not only an excellent educational resource but also a great tool for diversity training in the workplace in terms of mixed heritage, overt and subtle racism, and racial insensitivity issues.