MARYVILLE, TN - The Clayton Center for the Arts is hosting a screening of the award-winning documentary, The Infiltrators, with the film’s producer, Darren Dean, who will present a Q&A with the audience following the screening. The public is invited to attend on February 18 at 7pm in the Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall.

The Infiltrators; image submitted

The Infiltrators is a Documentary, Immigration Drama, Prison Flick, and Thriller in One Film. “Everyone needs a plan,” says activist Marco Saavedra. Saavedra’s plan involved walking into the lion’s den to bring it down from the inside. Saavedra and his partner Viridiana are planning a sort of prison break from the Broward Transitional Center (BTC), an immigration holding facility. As members of the National Immigrant Youth Alliance (NIYA), they believe the best way to stop deportations is to do it from the inside. Their target is Claudio Rojas, who was detained outside of his home in Florida. In a daring mission, they intentionally get caught by border control in order to access to the detention center to stop Rojas’s deportation from the inside. But things don’t go exactly as planned as they realize that BTC, as a for-profit facility, is incentivized to stash people indefinitely without due process. Playing out like a thriller heist film, the story unfolds through interwoven footage of real events and scripted re-enactments.

Dean, the film’s producer, will present a post-screening Q&A with the audience. Dean also produced the award-winning features Prince of Broadway (which he co-wrote), Kinyarwanda, H.O.M.E., Tangerine, and the Clio Award-winning short Snowbird. He is three-time Film Independent Spirit Award nominee, has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award (Kinyarwanda), and won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Feature (Tangerine).

This event is made possible through the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, a South Arts program. Since its inception in 1975, Southern Circuit has brought some of best independent filmmakers and their films from around the country to communities throughout the South. The program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. Local sponsor Russell & Abbott Heating and Cooling allow students to attend for free.

The Clayton Center for the Arts, located on the Maryville College campus and constructed through a unique partnership between the College and the cities of Maryville and Alcoa, is East Tennessee’s venue for arts and entertainment. As a gathering place for the community and the home of Maryville College fine and performing arts programs, the Clayton Center provides opportunities for the lifelong expression and appreciation of the arts. 

The 1,200-seat Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre features dance, theatre, concerts, lectures and other events. The 250-seat Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall hosts a wide variety of musicians and performers. The 200-seat Haslam Family Flexible Theatre is capable of supporting theatrical performances from amateur and professional companies. Four art galleries display collections and works of art from Appalachia and beyond.

Tickets are free for students and $5 for all others. Tickets may be purchased by visiting claytonartscenter.com or calling the Box Office at 865-981-8590. Tickets will also be available at the door.