Over 3000 migrants have died trying to cross the Sonoran Desert. The only marker for where their anonymous bodies were found: a red dot on a digital map. Artist Alvaro Enciso is on a mission to mark the places these people died, to find a way to honour his "neighbours" and create a visual remembrance of their struggle. For the past 9 years he has been placing home made crosses in the desert, leaving a signpost that a human being lost their life in this place. He's placed more than 900 of these markers and yet it's a task he will not complete in his lifetime.

Director's Statement

As filmmakers who are drawn to stories of human rights, injustice and strong characters, we knew we wanted to make a film about Alvaro the moment we heard about him and his artwork. Inspired by his commitment to his mission, as well as his irreverent spirit, we saw a unique way we could broaden the ongoing discussion about immigration in the US. By creating the visual and physical representation of thousands of deaths, he allows us to poignantly try to consider those lives lost once we're away from the political rhetoric.

Category: Documentary, Short Doc.
Themes: Border, Human Spirit, Arts.

• Official Website
• Facebook
• Email