Unified Struggle
During the first 6 months of the 2017 Trump presidency, undocumented communities throughout the United States experienced calculated large-scale deportation raids labeled as national "security and safety" measures. Trump's campaign promise to "build the wall" lead to the expansion of family separation, travel bans, mass incarceration, sexual violence, forced sterilizations and extrajudicial killings.
But the violence didn't begin with Trump.
Under the Obama administration, 3 million undocumented people were detained and deported. The struggle of undocumented men, women and children was overrun by a corrupt system supported by racist policies, incarceration expansion and media disinformation. Unified Struggle delivers a powerful narrative featuring one families 10-year struggle against deportation in a "sanctuary city". This short documentary film weaves threads of abolition, anti-racism, justice, motherhood and activism deeply rooted in Seattle, Washington.
"Unified Struggle" tackles deportation, justice and activism - Atoosa Sonia Moinzadeh, Seattle Globalist
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Christy X-Nc17DirectorWalking with Heroes
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Christy X-Nc17WriterWake UP! Occupy Seattle
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Christy X-Nc17ProducerLocal Treasure
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Giday "Dede" Adhanom- Swan, Derek Swan, King Swan, Giddera Swan, Gilajah Swan and Derek Swan Jr.Key Cast
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William PierceEditorRescue, Walking with Heroes, The Journey of MOMs Plus, The West Seattle Helpline, Wake UP! Occupy Seattle, Local Treasure, Creative people of conscience and The Environmental Science Center.
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Mike SkopstovAssistant EditorWalking with Heroes & The West Seattle Helpline
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William PierceDirector of PhotographyRescue, Walking with Heroes, The Journey of MOMs Plus, The West Seattle Helpline, Wake UP! Occupy Seattle, Local Treasure, Unified Struggle, Creative people of conscience and The Environmental Science Center.
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OopzOriginal MusicThe West Seattle Helpline, Local Treasure and The Environmental Science Center
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Eric SandersOriginal Music
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Courtney BaileySound Mix and DesignLocal Treasure and The Environmental Science Center
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Nandia BaterdeneMotion Graphics
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Project Type:Documentary, Short
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Genres:Social Justice, AbolishICE, StopDeportations, Community, Justice, Abolition, Anti-Racism
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Runtime:21 minutes 41 seconds
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Completion Date:July 14, 2014
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Country of Origin:United States
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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SEATTLE SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM FESTIVALSeattle WA
October 26, 2014 -
Freshest Roots - Fresh Giving event at Langston Hughes Performing Arts InstituteSeattle WA
December 6, 2014 -
University of Washington Law SchoolSeattle WA
February 25, 2014 -
University of Washington School of Social WorkSeattle
November 21, 2014 -
SEATTLE TRANSMEDIA INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVALSeattle
May 6, 2014 -
Bayview Retirement Home Film FestivalSeattle
April 25, 2014
I am Christy X, sometimes Christy Nc17, Mixed BIPOC, Queer, Anti-Racist filmmaker [beyond the scope of social justice], granny and, community builder [co-conspirator/accomplice].
By the age of four, I knew that film was my passion, and at 36, I was driven to finally pursue my dream. As a single parent, I successfully completed my AAS degree through the Seattle Central Community College Film and Video program in June of 2011. My desire to capture the raw beauty of reality drew me into documentary filmmaking, heart first. My process is straightforward and simple, it begins with a passionate and well planned idea, supported by countless hours of research, and the perseverance and guts to seek out all the right contacts, staffing the project with a top notch crew and scheduling the entire documentary in pre-production. But most importantly: I uncover the heartbeat and pulse that lives in the body of each story. My life experience inspires me to tackle controversial issues, support underrepresented groups, and showcase challenging topics with integrity and truth. The combination of my creativity, self-motivation, compassion, and technical skills enhance my unique style of filmmaking. When creating a film, I stay true to my vision, and focus on the bigger picture. I am firmly rooted in my ideas and concepts, from the beginning of the script writing process, until the very end, when we add the finishing touches during editing.
Specialties: What some folks refer to as Cinema Verite; I refer to as - street style shooting.