A new documentary, "Shouldering Sanctuary," aims to capture the story of Chicago under federal immigration enforcement operations launched by President Donald Trump. The film follows a small team from the production company Truth & Documentary as they document their experiences through interviews, bodycam footage, and videos from social media.
The documentary centers around the work of courtroom sketch artist Cliff Questel, who has been documenting immigration court proceedings for 12 months. Questel's drawings provide a unique perspective on the events unfolding in the courtroom, helping to humanize the individuals involved and bringing attention to the often-mysterious world of immigration law.
Fatima Omar and Ian Resnick, the filmmakers behind "Shouldering Sanctuary," have been working on the project for over a year, observing immigrants seeking asylum or residency in Chicago's Immigration Court. They've also documented rapid response teams and community efforts to support those affected by ICE operations.
The team plans to use the upcoming screening at the Edge Theater in Edgewater as an opportunity to gauge the audience's reaction, particularly to some of the more intense scenes. Ben Kolak, who manages Truth & Documentary, believes that film can be a powerful tool for portrayal and characterization, allowing viewers to connect with the stories on a deeper level.
One of the challenges facing the filmmakers is how to convey the complexities of the issue without sensationalizing it. They're looking for moments of humanity and community amidst the high-stakes politics, aiming to provide an educational resource for audiences.
The documentary will be paired with screenings of other films, including "Between Uncertainty and Hope," a 21-minute film about the 1988 Chicago immigration raids. The event will also feature a discussion with local politicians and advocates, making it a unique opportunity for viewers to engage with the issue on multiple levels.
Tickets can be reserved online, and in lieu of sales, Truth & Documentary is asking for donations to support families or individuals impacted by ICE operations.
The documentary centers around the work of courtroom sketch artist Cliff Questel, who has been documenting immigration court proceedings for 12 months. Questel's drawings provide a unique perspective on the events unfolding in the courtroom, helping to humanize the individuals involved and bringing attention to the often-mysterious world of immigration law.
Fatima Omar and Ian Resnick, the filmmakers behind "Shouldering Sanctuary," have been working on the project for over a year, observing immigrants seeking asylum or residency in Chicago's Immigration Court. They've also documented rapid response teams and community efforts to support those affected by ICE operations.
The team plans to use the upcoming screening at the Edge Theater in Edgewater as an opportunity to gauge the audience's reaction, particularly to some of the more intense scenes. Ben Kolak, who manages Truth & Documentary, believes that film can be a powerful tool for portrayal and characterization, allowing viewers to connect with the stories on a deeper level.
One of the challenges facing the filmmakers is how to convey the complexities of the issue without sensationalizing it. They're looking for moments of humanity and community amidst the high-stakes politics, aiming to provide an educational resource for audiences.
The documentary will be paired with screenings of other films, including "Between Uncertainty and Hope," a 21-minute film about the 1988 Chicago immigration raids. The event will also feature a discussion with local politicians and advocates, making it a unique opportunity for viewers to engage with the issue on multiple levels.
Tickets can be reserved online, and in lieu of sales, Truth & Documentary is asking for donations to support families or individuals impacted by ICE operations.
! As someone who's been following the immigration debates, it's refreshing to see a film that shines a light on the human side of these issues 
. The fact that Cliff Questel's drawings are bringing attention to these often-overlooked stories is pure magic 
. I'm hyped for the upcoming screening and discussion – let's have some real conversations about this complex topic 
! The more we learn, the wiser we'll be 
. Kudos to Fatima Omar and Ian Resnick for tackling this tough subject with empathy and sensitivity 
. Can't wait to see how the community reacts to this powerful documentary 
!
. and can we please get some clearer audio? sometimes its like, impossible to understand what people are saying 
. anyway, glad they're trying to make this issue more accessible, fingers crossed it sparks some real change 
. And can we talk about how awesome it is that they're partnering with local politicians and advocates for a discussion? That's exactly what our community needs - more conversation and less division 
! I'm definitely gonna be keeping an eye on this event and supporting the filmmakers in any way I can 
, especially since they're using donations to help families impacted by ICE ops 
.
I love how he uses his drawings to bring attention to these people who are just trying to make a new life for themselves. The fact that they're gonna screen it at Edge Theater and get audience feedback is genius – we should totally go and share our thoughts! 
. And I'm hoping they're not just focusing on the 'tragic' stories, but also the resilience and strength of the communities coming together to support each other. That's what really got me about the event part - talking to local politicians and advocates... that could lead to some real change 
... anywayz I'm low-key excited to see how this goes down at the Edge Theater!
with their court drawings and stuff. Its also cool that they're tryin to provide a resource for us to learn more about immigration law without just sensationalizin it 
. And how's gonna affect people in Chicago who are already strugglin with the system? Will we see any positive change or is it all just a bunch of feel-good vibes 
. Cliff Questel's courtroom drawings are literally game-changing 
. It's gonna be so cool to watch the screening and see how we all react to it 
! Fingers crossed that we can raise some cash for those affected by ICE ops 
... let's make a difference! 
But seriously, I'm fascinated by how this doc aims to show humanity behind all the politics. And I love that they're asking for donations instead of ticket sales – it's like, we care about these people too 
... the film crew's been documenting these communities for a year, observing rapid response teams and community efforts to support those affected by ice ops 
. It sounds like it's gonna be another "feel good" movie that just glosses over the harsh realities of what these people are going through. I mean, how much depth can you really get into a 45-min film when you're only scratching the surface of this complex issue? And don't even get me started on the part about trying to humanize individuals in court - isn't that just gonna put a face to a statistic?