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Golden Venture: A Journey into America’s Immigration Nightmare
Media Reviews Online. 7/26/2007
Reviewed by Brian Falato, University of South Florida Tampa Campus Library

First review of "Golden Venture."
Cinematical. April 17, 2006
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Cinematical Blog
April 23, 2006
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Library Journal, Nov. 2006

In 1993, the ship the Golden Venture ran aground near New York City . Of the 300 Chinese aboard, including a few women and children, most were sent to prison in York , PA. There, they languished for almost four years before being released. Some had died, most were deported (with about half returning), some gained asylum, and some live here illegally. This fine film follows four of the immigrants, along with the courageous and tenacious lawyers who helped them. They discuss the political climate for immigration law, giving a fair evaluation of the problems. We feel for these immigrants, we want them to stay and find satisfying lives here, but we also see the concerns inherent in illegal immigration. Highly recommended, especially for educational purposes. — Kitty Chen Dean, Nassau Coll., Garden City, NY

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Video Librarian, Jan.- Feb. 2007

At a time when illegal immigration is a on issue in American politics, Peter Cohn's documentary is of intrinsic interest, focusing as it does on the treatment of the survivors of the Golden Venture, an aging freighter that went aground off the New York coast in June, 1993 while attempting to smuggle over 200 Chinese people onto shore. But it's affecting and instructive even apart from the contemporary topical considerations.

Golden Venture investigates the socioeconomic problems in China that encouraged so many to pay the high cost (approximately $30,000) of passage, while also dealing with the criminal gangs that controlled the smuggling trade, and braving the hardships of the voyage itself. But the major interest here lies in the film's situating of the event historically, noting that it occurred shortly after the bombing of the World Trade Center, when concerns about illegal entries into the U.S. were becoming acute- a circumstance that helps explain if not condone the harsh treatment accorded the survivors, many of whom were quickly deported (a number have since returned illegally), while others were detained for years in INS facilities.  

The documentary humanizes the material by concentrating on the stories of four immigrants-three who are now in the U.S. in legal limbo and one who returned to China -and on the efforts of some American supporters to secure the survivors' release from detention, provide them with aid, and lead the fight to win them legal status. A compelling and timely portrait of human courage, resilience, and compassion, set against a backdrop of bigotry, fear, and political infighting, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)

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School Library Journal, June, 2007

[Gr 9 Up] As our country struggles with developing a meaningful, equitable,
and effective national immigration policy, this intriguing program offers a
fascinating review of a 1993 incident which spotlighted the issue at the
time. The Golden Venture, an ocean-going freighter, ran aground off the New
York coast with almost 300 undocumented Chinese immigrants aboard. The film recounts what happened to the survivors both short-term and today. The
producers  movingly recount the price paid by the refugees from Communist
China in financial (a minimum of $30,000 each), emotional, and physical
terms through the use of news footage, computer graphics, and stirring
personal interviews. While the initial incident ironically took place in the
shadow of the Statue of Liberty, the immigrants' reception was
less-than-hospitable as a result of the first attack on the World Trade
Center. What follows are remarkable stories of human strength, governmental indecisiveness, and a supportive coalition of national groups rallying on behalf of the refugees. The nicely paced presentation features
English-language captions of interviews, a useful study guide, and a Web
site with links to additional information. The film can be accessed in two
parts: the first details the incidents and ensuing political and legal
battles, while the latter portion provides a look at the Golden Venture
passengers today. Classes studying the ongoing question of immigration would greatly benefit from the unique perspective provided in the film.
-- Dwain Thomas, Lake Park High School, Roselle, IL

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