Errol Morris’ ‘Separated’ documentary explores the human cost of immigration policies

A deep dive into the human impact of border separations

MSNBC Films has recently acquired Errol Morris’ poignant documentary, “Separated”, which delves into the harrowing consequences of the Trump administration’s policy of separating children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August and was later showcased at the Telluride Film Festival in September, offers a compelling narrative that combines interviews with U.S. government officials and personal stories of affected families.

The story behind ‘Separated’

Based on the 2020 book “Separated: Inside an American Tragedy” by a prominent NBC News political and national correspondent, the 93-minute documentary provides a thorough examination of the U.S. government’s role in the development and implementation of these controversial border policies. According to the Department of Homeland Security, 3,881 children were separated from their families between 2017 and 2021. Morris’ film sheds light on the ongoing impact of these policies, which have left thousands of children still separated from their parents.

A narrative of empathy and humanity

Errol Morris, who won an Oscar for best feature documentary in 2004 for “Fog of War,” emphasizes the emotional resonance of the story. “It’s an attempt to tell a story that we should all relate to emotionally,” Morris explains. “It’s not just a story about political malfeasance or about bureaucracy, but about people. People like you and me. It’s not about other people. It’s about people.”

The journey to distribution

“Separated” is a co-production involving Participant, Fourth Floor, Moxie Pictures, and NBC News Studios. Despite the lack of a distribution deal with NBC Universal-owned Peacock or Focus during production, the film’s eventual distribution is noteworthy. In recent years, major U.S. distributors like Netflix and Apple have shied away from politically charged content, which may explain why “Separated” does not have a streaming deal in place.

The road to the Oscars

Starting October 4, “Separated” will have a week-long Academy Award qualifying run at the IFC Center in New York, with Submarine Deluxe handling the theatrical release. During a press conference at Venice, Morris expressed his desire for the documentary to be released before the U.S. Presidential election on November 5, hoping it would make a significant impact.

A reflection on policy and morality

Morris has described the documentary as “an essay on fascism,” highlighting the moral implications of the Trump administration’s policies. “God knows I feel strongly about many of the policies of the Trump administration, but the idea that somehow you would hurt children as a matter of policy seemed unthinkable,” Morris stated. “It seemed just wrong. Morally wrong. These are policies that could happen again, and we must ensure that they never, never, never happen again.”

MSNBC Films’ commitment to impactful storytelling

“Separated” marks the third feature documentary that MSNBC Films has qualified for Oscar consideration. In 2021, the company qualified JR’s “Paper & Glue,” and in 2023, Lina Plioplyte’s “Periodical.” Amanda Spain, MSNBC Films VP of longform acquisitions, praised the collaboration, stating, “Jacob has been digging deep into immigration issues for over a decade, personally witnessing the situation at the border, for which his reporting has been honored with several of the most prestigious journalism awards. And Errol is one of the most celebrated directors of our time who can shine a light on important issues far behind the headlines in an incredibly cinematic way. We feel privileged to be able to bring this film to audiences, to support the work of these visionary storytellers and the courageous participants.”

Future broadcasts and availability

Greenwich Entertainment is handling TVOD distribution for “Separated,” and MSNBC will begin broadcasting the documentary on December 7. For those interested in a preview, you can watch the trailer for Separated.

Did you enjoy this article? Share it on your social channels and let us know your thoughts! Don’t miss out on the latest updates! Follow us on social media to stay informed about the newest releases.