After an 18 year-old Russian Jew sends his family to Ellis Island but must remain behind because of the 1924 U.S. immigration quota law, his 5-year journey in Europe and Latin America forces him to come of age and finally dare to cross illegally in El Paso, TX to reunite with his family.

by empr3ss 36 pts

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5 reviews

dpg 112,231 pts ★ Accepted

It seems that the plot is something like:

Unable to immigrate legally to America with his family in 192?, an impoverished Jewish teenager undertakes a harrowing 5 year trek through Russia, Europe and Latin America to enter illegally.

(?= add the detail of the year his trek began)

The subject matter certainly resonates with? current events along the southern border of the U.S.? (Understatement)

Forgottencomposer 51 pts

I agree with other commentators that 18 years old can't "send" his family? anywhere. And why emphasize that the family comes to Ellis Island? US is a final destination not the Ellis Island.

empr3ss 36 pts

thanks... yes no resources and alone, but i'd like the focus to be more on the journey in europe and especially latin america.? He actually gets a job in Mexico, etc.? Arriving in the US will kind of be the end, as he can now reunite with his family who he knows their address

kpetrakis01 Logliner · 891 pts

I guess the focus is on this young man who had to find a way to join his family, with no resources, at a time where Jews were not widely accepted? alone?? It sounds like a great story but I guess we focus on the obstacles

a) no resources and alone

b) Impact of being a Russian Jew - does that present a problem travelling around Europe? how are the Russians or Jews viewed at that time?

c) way to travel - how is he getting around? does he have any skills or education? Speak another language?

d) what would happen when he arrives in the US

Always love a good immigrant story....I think we need to know more about the protagonist - I don't think it's as important as to why he is separate from his family, but more about his quest to find them in the US.

yqwertz Mentor · 5,078 pts

Not sure how to interpret your logline. "...an 18 year old ... sends his family..." Do you mean his wife and children? If you mean his siblings and parents, then it sounds like he was abandoned since an 18 year old was legally a child in 1924. (21 was the old age of majority.)

Anyway, you can by pass these nagging difficulties by streamlining your logline:

When a Russian Jew is denied permission to join his family in 1924 America, he resolves to enter the country illegally, but when the Communist Party confiscates all his property, he must first tramp his way to Mexico.