John Carlos Frey
Encyclopedia
John Carlos Frey in Tijuana, Mexico, is an Mexican-American director and actor known for his documentaries and activism on the plight and treatment of immigrants on the US-Mexican border. Frey's works include the 2002 film The Gatekeeper, which he directed and starred; and documentaries The Invisible Chapel and The 800 Mile Wall. Frey's work has been recognized by Amnesty International
, The American Civil Liberties Union
(ACLU), the Anti-Defamation League
and Human Rights Watch
. He is a contributor to the Huffington Post, and is a consultant to the CBS news program, 60 Minutes
on issues pertaining to the U.S. Mexico border. Frey is a graduate of the University of San Diego
.
, where he attended parochial schools, and later studied film and graduated from the University of San Diego. Early in his life, Frey sought to hide his Mexican heritage. “I wanted to pass as American, I didn’t want to accept that I was part Mexican”, Frey said. “It was really easy to leave my culture behind.” Frey's mother was once picked up by US Border Patrol agents and deported because she was unable to convince them of her legal status.
, Days of Our Lives
, Married With Children, JAG
, Weird Science
, Party of Five
and Freaky Friday
among others.
The Gatekeeper is the story of Adam Fields; a half American, half Mexican US Border Patrol agent who hides his Latin ethnicity with racist zeal. Fields goes undercover, posing as an undocumented immigrant in order to catch the "coyotes" or smugglers that work the border. Fields begins a personal transformation after witnessing firsthand the harsh reality that undocumented immigrants face.
Frey interviewed over 600 undocumented workers for the film, which was made entirely in San Diego. It was shown at numerous film festivals and took awards at the 2002 San Diego Latino Film Festival, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
and the International Hispanic Film Festival among others.
The Gatekeeper has been recognized by Amnesty International
, The Anti Defamation League, Human Rights Watch
, National Immigration Forum
, The League of United Latin American Citizens
, The National Council of La Raza
(NCLR), The Joan B. Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice as well as the Hispanic Congressional Caucus in Washington, D.C. for it’s realistic depiction of illegal immigration in the United States.
In November 2009, Frey and John Hunter were arrested during an act of civil disobedience, when they strung a line of buoys across the All-American Canal
near El Centro, California
. Frey and Hunter were attempting to attract attention to the fact that over 600 people have drowned while attempting to cross the canal. Charges were later dropped. In August, 2010, The Imperial Irrigation District approved funds to purchase and install buoys every one-half mile along the canal.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
, The American Civil Liberties Union
American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union is a U.S. non-profit organization whose stated mission is "to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States." It works through litigation, legislation, and...
(ACLU), the Anti-Defamation League
Anti-Defamation League
The Anti-Defamation League is an international non-governmental organization based in the United States. Describing itself as "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency", the ADL states that it "fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects...
and Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
. He is a contributor to the Huffington Post, and is a consultant to the CBS news program, 60 Minutes
60 Minutes
60 Minutes is an American television news magazine, which has run on CBS since 1968. The program was created by producer Don Hewitt who set it apart by using a unique style of reporter-centered investigation....
on issues pertaining to the U.S. Mexico border. Frey is a graduate of the University of San Diego
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic university in San Diego, California. USD offers more than sixty bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral programs...
.
Personal
Frey was born in Tijuana, Mexico. His father was Swiss-American and his mother was naturalized US citizen of Mexican descent. His family moved to San Diego, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where he attended parochial schools, and later studied film and graduated from the University of San Diego. Early in his life, Frey sought to hide his Mexican heritage. “I wanted to pass as American, I didn’t want to accept that I was part Mexican”, Frey said. “It was really easy to leave my culture behind.” Frey's mother was once picked up by US Border Patrol agents and deported because she was unable to convince them of her legal status.
Career
Frey's TV acting career includes parts from 1995-2002 in The PracticeThe Practice
The Practice is an American legal drama created by David E. Kelley centering on the partners and associates at a Boston law firm. Running for eight seasons from 1997 to 2004, the show won the Emmy in 1998 and 1999 for Best Drama Series, and spawned the successful and lighter spin-off series Boston...
, Days of Our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
, Married With Children, JAG
JAG
JAG is an American adventure/legal drama television show that was produced by Belisarius Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television and, for the first season only, NBC Productions...
, Weird Science
Weird Science
Weird Science is the name of:* Weird Science , a 1985 film directed by John Hughes** Weird Science , a television series based on the film** "Weird Science" , the theme song to the film and the TV series by Oingo Boingo...
, Party of Five
Party of Five
Party of Five is an American teen drama television series that aired on Fox for six seasons, from September 12, 1994, until May 3, 2000.Critically acclaimed, the show suffered from low ratings and after its first season was slated for cancellation...
and Freaky Friday
Freaky Friday
Freaky Friday is a classic comedic children’s novel written by Mary Rodgers first published in the USA in 1972, and adapted for film several times.-Plot:...
among others.
The Gatekeeper
Frey began writing the screenplay for The Gatekeeper in 1994. He funded the filming of the project himself, after getting turned down by the studios; who suggested that Frey turn the tale into a love story. Frey completed The Gatekeeper for $200,000 and it was released in 2001.The Gatekeeper is the story of Adam Fields; a half American, half Mexican US Border Patrol agent who hides his Latin ethnicity with racist zeal. Fields goes undercover, posing as an undocumented immigrant in order to catch the "coyotes" or smugglers that work the border. Fields begins a personal transformation after witnessing firsthand the harsh reality that undocumented immigrants face.
Frey interviewed over 600 undocumented workers for the film, which was made entirely in San Diego. It was shown at numerous film festivals and took awards at the 2002 San Diego Latino Film Festival, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is a film festival and non-profit organization, established in 1985, that showcases independent American and international films. The SBIFF line-up includes 20 world premieres and 11 U.S. premieres, with newly expanded 11-day festival...
and the International Hispanic Film Festival among others.
The Gatekeeper has been recognized by Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
, The Anti Defamation League, Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
, National Immigration Forum
National Immigration Forum
The National Immigration Forum is an immigrant rights organization based in Washington, DC that publishes studies, lobbies congress members, and networks local organizations with the goal of increasing public support for immigration to the United States...
, The League of United Latin American Citizens
League of United Latin American Citizens
The League of United Latin American Citizens was created to combat the discrimination that Hispanics face in the United States. Established February 17, 1929 in Corpus Christi, Texas, LULAC was a consolidation of smaller, like-minded civil rights groups already in existence...
, The National Council of La Raza
National Council of La Raza
The National Council of La Raza is a non-profit and non-partisan advocacy group in the United States, focused on improving opportunities for Hispanics. It is sometimes confused with La Raza Unida...
(NCLR), The Joan B. Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice as well as the Hispanic Congressional Caucus in Washington, D.C. for it’s realistic depiction of illegal immigration in the United States.
Documentaries
Frey's documentaries include Invisible Mexicans of Deer Canyon, The Invisible Chapel, The 800 Mile Wall ,One Border One Body and Life and Death on the Border.Activism
Frey is active in drawing attention to undocumented immigrant issues through his documentaries, speeches and his writing. He is a regular contributor for The Huffington Post, and is a consultant to the CBS news program, 60 Minutes on issues pertaining to the U.S. Mexico border.In November 2009, Frey and John Hunter were arrested during an act of civil disobedience, when they strung a line of buoys across the All-American Canal
All-American Canal
The All-American Canal is an long aqueduct, located in southeastern California. It conveys water from the Colorado River into the Imperial Valley and to nine cities. It is the Imperial Valley's only water source, and replaced the Alamo Canal, which was located mostly in Mexico...
near El Centro, California
El Centro, California
El Centro is a city in and county seat of Imperial County, the largest city in the Imperial Valley and the east anchor of the Southern California Border Region, and the core urban area and principal city of the El Centro metropolitan area which encompasses all of Imperial County. El Centro is also...
. Frey and Hunter were attempting to attract attention to the fact that over 600 people have drowned while attempting to cross the canal. Charges were later dropped. In August, 2010, The Imperial Irrigation District approved funds to purchase and install buoys every one-half mile along the canal.
Awards
- Best Movie (2002) - San Diego Latino Film Festival
- Phoenix Award - Santa Barbara International Film Festival