San Francisco filmmakers Marcia Jarmel and Ken Schneider have produced a documentary about four San Francisco language immersion students and the challenges they and their families face. It describes the programs in the SFUSD as well as the wider political landscape, including English-only issues and national security. One of the students, Durrell Laury, attends the Starr King Mandarin immersion program. The film has been getting positive attention, including a writeup in SF360.
Film Synopsis
The film’s four protagonists come to language immersion programs for very different reasons. Jason is a first generation Mexican-American whose immigrant family embraces bilingualism as the key to full participation in the land of opportunity. Durrell is an African-American kindergartner whose mom hopes that learning Mandarin will be a way out of economic uncertainty and into possibility. Kelly is a Chinese-American recapturing the Cantonese her parents sacrificed to become American. Julian is a Caucasian 8th grader eager to expand his horizons and become a good world citizen.
Screenings
WORLD PREMIERE
San Francisco International Film Festival, Sundance Kabuki Cinema
- Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 3:15 PM
- Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 3:30 PM
- Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 2:30 PM
For ticket information, visit: http://fest09.sffs.org/
SNEAK PREVIEW
- April 10 – 11: National Immigrant Rights Film Festival
Mandarin Immersion Parents Council 
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