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Deep Dive: Arid Zone (2019)

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Arid Zone
In 2001, Fernanda, a 15-year-old Brazilian foreign exchange student, moved to Mesa, Arizona. The film captures her return to Mesa in 2016, just before the presidential election, to reflect on her experiences and the cultural contrasts she faced during her initial stay. Fernanda's reflections provide insight into how her time in this conservative city shaped her identity and views. The documentary also places Fernanda's personal story within the context of a changing political landscape in the United States. By revisiting Mesa, she considers the implications of her past experiences in light of contemporary issues, revealing the impact of her formative years on her current perspectives.

Why Watch

  • •Meet Fernanda, a Brazilian exchange student in Arizona.
  • •See cultural contrasts in a conservative American city.
  • •Find out how politics shaped Fernanda's identity.

Did You Know

•Fernanda was 15 years old when she first arrived in Mesa in 2001.
•The film was released in 2019, fifteen years after Fernanda's initial stay.
•Fernanda returned to Mesa two months before the 2016 presidential election.

Perfect For

Cultural exchangePolitical landscapesTeen identity