In September 2015, POV asked Don't Tell Anyone (No Le Digas a Nadie) filmmaker Mikaela Shwer and subject Angy Rivera what's happened since the cameras stopped rolling.
Angy Rivera:
How is your family doing since you and your mother received your visas?
Angy Rivera: We're good. My mom and I went on our first vacation via plane together. We went to Florida. I am in my last semester of college and will be done in December and graduating May 2016. My mom now works at the airport and I work at a reproductive health organization. We continue to advocate for immigrant rights.
How has the film impacted your work as an activist for immigrant rights?
Angy Rivera: The film has motivated me to look more closely at trauma and healing. I've also thought about how to use [the film] to talk about violence. I have seen many use it to spark dialogue with their parents about activism and that has impacted me as well.
Mikaela Shwer:
Can you share some of the most exciting, inspiring or otherwise notable reactions you've received from audiences?
Mikaela Shwer: We've been getting some very touching and powerful reactions to the film. Some come from those connected to the undocumented community or from undocumented people themselves who see power in Angy's story and it inspires them to participate or seek out resources for themselves. We've also received great feedback from people who might not have been as involved in the immigration debate. They are letting us know that the film has challenged their ideas on the issues they see on TV.
What conversations do you hope the public television broadcast of Don't Tell Anyone (No Le Digas a Nadie) will spark?
Mikaela Shwer: We hope the film will spark conversation and national dialogue about the repercussions our current broken immigration system has on the immigrants who are our neighbors, classmates and friends. By making the political personal, the hope is that more people will be motivated to be allies and help to make change.
What are you working on next?
Mikaela Shwer: I'm currently working on a documentary about an experimental group from the '60s and '70s called Synanon and how those from the community continue to have polarized views of their experiences today.