Film Review: "Separated"—a New Documentary by Errol Morris and Jacob Soboroff

by Nicolae Butler | Exclusive to Migrant Insider

Separated, a new documentary by Errol Morris and Jacob Soboroff premiered at the Venice Film Festival in August, delves deep into the unsettling realities of America's border policies, particularly the separation of children from their families at the southern border, leaving viewers with a profound sense of discomfort.

In the film’s opening 25 minutes, Morris introduces key figures from the Trump administration who played crucial roles in shaping these deeply unpopular policies: from former interim ICE Director Tom Homan, Trump border czar Stephen Miller, and former Chief of Staff John Kelly, among others.

Their intent was clear: to terrorize migrants, especially from Central America—El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras—ostensibly to deter them from taking the perilous journey to the U.S. border. The chilling message was unmistakable: if you come, you will be separated. The psychological toll on these families, particularly on children, is devastating and tragically apparent throughout the documentary.

Separated effectively illustrates the dysfunction of these policies, showcasing the alarming realities faced by migrant families. The film depicts scenes reminiscent of war-torn countries—warehouses filled with children, inadequate documentation, poor communication, and appalling living conditions. A pervasive atmosphere of fear and hopelessness hangs over these individuals, starkly contrasting the values America claims to uphold.

For many viewers, the film might evoke shock and disbelief. Yet, as someone who spent four years in one of America's most notorious state institutions, the realities presented in Separated resonate deeply. The treatment of immigrant children mirrors the systemic failures seen within the U.S. foster care system where I was raised, in part—children ripped from their families under dubious circumstances, confined to facilities resembling juvenile detention centers, and subjected to a regime of silence and compliance.

Morris draws a parallel between the hysteria surrounding immigration and the broader societal panic regarding “at-risk” children in state care. Politicians exploit these fears, amplifying anxiety over “illegals” and “criminals” while conveniently overlooking America's rich history as a nation built by immigrants. The very labor and contributions that shaped the country are ignored in favor of a narrative that paints immigrants as threats.

Similarly, children within the state care system often bear the brunt of mass hysteria. Many are unjustly categorized as society’s outcasts. In reality, the majority do not pose any real danger; rather, they become victims of a system that prioritizes control over compassion. The chilling truths about the injustices faced behind closed doors—abuse, isolation, and a lack of agency—remain hidden from public scrutiny. If the American public were fully aware of these realities, the outcry would be immense.

Morris’s documentary serves as a powerful indictment of the incompetence that permeates both border policy and state care. The parallels are striking: the tactics employed by ICE are eerily similar to those used in the treatment of children within state institutions. The effects of these policies on migrant families and U.S. children are shockingly alike, both fostering an environment of uncertainty, trauma, and disconnection.

Separated is not just a documentary; it is a call to reflection. It urges viewers to confront the uncomfortable truths about America’s treatment of its most vulnerable populations—migrant families and children in state care alike. As we approach a pivotal moment in our nation’s political landscape, Morris’s film challenges us to reconsider what it means to uphold the values of compassion and justice in a society rife with fear and division. 

This unsettling yet crucial documentary serves as a reminder that the dysfunction in our policies has far-reaching consequences. Ultimately, it is a poignant reflection on how we choose to define ourselves as a nation, both in times of crisis and in the everyday lives of those we often choose to overlook.