GRINGOTOPIA
(2018)
Hundreds of thousands of citizens have left the U.S. for Mexico in search of a better quality of life. GRINGOTOPIA, a series of twelve, 10-minute chapters, gives voice to this phenomenon through interwoven interviews, paced like a social conversation, with a diverse group of 25 people. Living south of Guadalajara, in the Lake Chapala area, a magnet for American and Canadian expatriates, they tell insightful, intimate, and humorous stories about life-changing moves across more than just a geographic border. In English with Spanish subtitles.
Cientos de miles de ciudadanos han dejado los Estados Unidos, por México en busca de una mejor calidad de vida. GRINGOTOPIA, es una serie de doce capítulos, de 10 minutos cada capítulo, el cual le da voz a este fenómeno a través de varias entrevistas, en un tono de conversación social, con un diverso grupo de 25 personas. Viviendo al sur de Guadalajara, en el área del Lago de Chapala el cual es un magneto para expatriados de los Estados Unidos y Canadienses, ellos nos cuentan íntimamente, apuntes e historias graciosas sobre estos cambios de vida que van más allá de un cambio geográfico. En inglés con subtítulos en español.
Chapter One
COMING TO TERMS
What motivates someone to leave the United States for a new life in Mexico? Kat needs to escape her old life; Jay says there is nothing left for him in Chicago after a divorce; Ingrid wants affordable medical care; Fred just wants to blend in; Miguel explains who is "American"; Christian speculates on the unresolved origin of the word "gringo"; Meredith reveals intentionally and unintentionally offensive words.
Chapter Two
IMPORTING LIFESTYLE
What conditions are motivating waves of U.S. immigrants into Mexico? David explains how veterans arrive after WW2 claiming to go to school on the G.I. Bill; NAFTA and Walmart allow the importation of products and a lifestyle; Kat and Jay reveal their new nicknames; Lorraine tells what makes an "ugly American"; Vince describes the world view of the U.S.; Ingrid is grateful for Mexican hospitality when her husband dies suddenly; Robert accepts things as they are.
Chapter Three
LOST IN TRANSLATION
How do new immigrants navigate relationships when they don’t speak the same language? Meredith explains why mañana is not just about time; Sasha tells the story of a friend, still learning the nuances of Spanish, who accidently wishes someone a "happy anus"; being bilingual opens up the world to Ana; Luis is treated badly in the U.S. before learning English; Grant hopes he will meet a boyfriend who will help him with his Spanish; Willie's word of the day is “hungover."
Chapter Four
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
Does Mexico offer greater economic opportunity than the U.S. or Canada? Arthur talks about how less regulation and lower labor costs in Mexico create economic advantages; Miguel explains what motivates Mexicans to immigrate north; Luis tells his story of paying a "coyote" to cross the border; Ana Marie gets a job with a U.S. corporation in Mexico but then the corporation moves the job to another city; Luis describes what Mexicans think people in the U.S. do for work; Meredith explains why a siesta is not a nap; Miguel and Vince detail classic stereotypes.
Chapter Five
BIGGEST BANG FOR THE BUCK
Is a middle-class expat suddenly rich after moving to Mexico? Meredith describes mindless consumerism in the U.S. and the Mexican perception that all people from the U.S. are wealthy; Audette sees that rich people bargain more than poor people; Grant's Mexican friends want him to tip less to balance expectations of their own tipping; Marsha gets aggravated with people who seem cheap; David talks about the difference between a community and a tourist town; Lorraine goes to her hometown in Houston and brings back thousands of shoes for children in Chapala.
Chapter Six
“WE’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE”
Is Mexico safer than the United States? Vince thinks Mexico is misunderstood; Claudia believes the U.S. is more fearful of “others” after 9/11; Miguel reads stories of crazy people with guns in the U.S.; Robert has not seen a school shooting in Mexico; Ingrid cautions that Mexicans will steal things if you are foolish and take possessions for granted; Tyler says gated communities are a target; Lorraine compares murder rates; Fred is offered a gun by the police; Kat fondly remembers her pistol with custom pink silicon handles.
Chapter Seven
JUSTICE, MEXICAN STYLE
Is the culture of corruption in Mexico easier to navigate than going through the legal system? Lorraine tells the story of how her neighbors took care of a problem outside of the law; Christian describes his false arrest for attempted kidnapping and a warning not to talk to the wrong people; Audette explains that corruption is cultural; Fred is tired of being singled out by the police in the U.S. because of the color of his skin.
Chapter Eight
SAFE ENOUGH
How is life different for immigrants when drug cartels are their neighbors? Lorraine shares what the cartel looks like; Audette explains that perceptions of cartels are different outside of Mexico; Bill questions who is buying drugs; Meredith describes a local cartel turf war incident where innocent people were killed; Sasha gives advice on what to do when you hear a gunshot.
Chapter Nine
FINDING LOVE
Can immigrants find a second chance at love in a new culture? Arthur details the benefits to both parties when an older expat man marries a younger Mexican woman; Sasha learns a hard lesson about love; Grant talks about looking for other gay men his age and reflects on being a young tourist in Puerto Vallarta in the 1970's; Kat talks about being a single woman in Mexico; Vince learns the culture of sharing by marrying into a Mexican family; Lorraine is asked to be a "madrina."
Chapter Ten
FEELIN’ GOOD
Can aging hippies from the U.S. and Canada maintain their lifestyle in Mexico? Jay looks for a bar; Lorraine gets a surprise when she buys marijuana from a neighbor; Willie wonders which of his organs—liver kidneys, or lungs—will kill him first; doctors make house calls in Mexico; Ana sees the irony in expats signing up for Mexican healthcare; Dr. Sam details the Mexican medical system; Bill express frustration with the U.S. healthcare for veterans.
Chapter Eleven
GOD’S WAITING ROOM
How do these immigrants adjust their lives when death is a daily reality? Ingrid notices greater intergenerational affection and respect for the elderly; Lorraine shares the story of a conniving nurse who moves to Mexico to take advantage of dying seniors; David talks about new dynamics in the Chapala region as an increasing number of expats and Mexicans seek long-term care; Kay describes sadness and desperation; Marsha tries to get used to people dying; David enjoys parties that are celebrations of life.
Chapter Twelve
THERE AND THEN, HERE AND NOW
Will these immigrants live and die in Mexico or return to their hometowns in the U.S.? Fred learns a family recipe for mole from an elderly neighbor; Vince practices eating with a tortilla; Meredith explains her solution for tuning out barking dogs in her town district; Lorraine talks about living in a barrio; David sees that the village takes care of everyone; Ingrid appreciates the pace of life; Grant has no plans to return to Canada; Luis would like to visit the U.S. again; Tyler goes to New York, spends two months rent on drinks, and vows to stay in Mexico. A statement of both acquiescence and solace with his choice to be in Mexico, Jay declares his future life as a plant.