Seeing the World Through Another Pair of Eyes
There are certain kinds of people in life that give you hope and serve as an inspiration. They demonstrate what one dedicated person can achieve if they set their mind to it, regardless of the difficulties of the circumstances they find themselves in. Pedro, the man whom the documentary film Unseen follows, is one such person, and the filmmakers do an excellent job of helping the viewer to see the world through another lens.
Pedro is a migrant from Mexico lacking legal status who is studying to become a social worker. “I want to be able to help people,” Pedro explains to the camera about why he has chosen this profession. Pedro has a particular concern for his fellow migrants who struggle to find work and acceptance in a new land. His legal status, however, is not the only hurdle Pedro must overcome.
He is also blind, and the film does not let the viewer forget. The movie opens with a blurred scene, a theme that will repeat itself throughout the movie, to give the viewer a glimpse of the world through Pedro’s eyes. While the frequent fuzzy scenes can be difficult for the viewer, I imagine this was the intention of the filmmakers, emphasizing the difficulty of navigating through life and performing basic tasks. In one scene, Pedro accidentally cuts himself with a knife while preparing dinner, something he informs the audience he has not done for quite some time.
Pedro’s goal is to become a mental health professional, and he counsels survivors of a shooting at a country music concert in Las Vegas. Studying between four and six hours a day, Pedro still finds the time around his schooling to assist others, some of whom appear more fortunate than himself. As Pedro prepares to graduate and receive his degree, he struggles to decide whether or not to enter the workforce directly or to pursue a master’s degree. But Pedro, lacking legal documentation to work in the United States, wonders whether or not he will even be able to find a job, and if all his schooling will be for nothing.
The film is a story of hardship and sacrifice. Pedro, who at times admits he would prefer to simply stay in bed and give up on life, continuously pushes forward to better himself and improve the lives of those he loves. In his dedication to healing the trauma of others, Pedro discovers meaning and purpose for his own life, working to heal himself in the process. Pedro teaches us all that meaning in life is inextricably tied to the overcoming of challenges. Instead of running from difficulty and accepting defeat, Pedro strives to make the best of what he has been given. Towards the end of the film, he asks himself whether or not he would have achieved what he has if he did not struggle with his disability. Perhaps it is the struggle that makes it all worth it.
