I.C.E. Has Him - Roger Suen

Artist: Roger Suen

Title: I.C.E. Has Him

Year: 2021

Composer: Roger Suen

Genre: Classical, Movie Tune

Blue Bayou is a film about a Korean adoptee, Antonio, that was raised in a small town in Louisiana. In the film, the protagonist faces deportation. Despite no conscious memories of his life in Korea, immigration enforcement is after Antonio because of his criminal history and lack of legal adoption papers. The touching film addresses the inhumanity of America's immigration enforcement.

The piece I selected from this film appears early on in the movie, after the protagonist has been arrested following an altercation with police officers in a supermarket (see clip below). Because Antonio's stepdaughter's biological father is an abusive cop, Antonio is left powerless. Added to this, his delicate immigration situation leads to him being sent to a detention center.

The musical score incorporates the tension and sorrow of Antonio's situation. Scared and vulnerable, him and his wife have virtually no escape from racism and discrimination. The family is separated, Antonio left to wallow in his cell. The violin captures these deep emotions, lingering like the flow of tears down his face. The strings pull and change in harmony, mirroring the internal battle Antonio faces, wanting to protect his family but being unable to do so.

Connection to Playlist

This moving selection lands in the topic of Gold, God, and Glory because it depicts the complete opposite of a glorified life. Undocumented immigrants often live in extreme poverty and have no escape from the systems that are out to destroy them. At every turn is an undeniable barrier to social mobility. In contemplating these scenes, we may come to understand the situation and provide solutions to members of our society like Antonio.

Resources

Focus Features, Blue Bayou - Trailer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh59H_d19Kg.

Movie Clips, Blue Bayou - Brutal Cop Attack Scene, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIipv_xknG4.

Roger Suen, I.C.E. Has Him, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Bg8yPLDi8.