Is Brother From Another Planet Really Talking About Immigration?

 

Brother from Another Planet, released in 1984, stars Joe Morton: a spaceman who has crash landed on Earth — specifically, Ellis Island, New York. If you did not already know, Ellis Island was established in 1964, and quickly became the busiest immigration inspection and processing station in the United States. Though Ellis Island is no longer the passageway into America it once was, choosing here as the introductory point for our main character into the United States is very symbolic. Here we have an actual alien, crash landing in the same place many immigrants (or in derogatory terms “aliens”) have passed through. 

The movie therein plays on the nuances of what it is like to be a stranger in essentially another world. Our main character is completely misunderstood, has a hard time relating to those around him, cannot verbally communicate and the people around him, though mostly harmless, are constantly projecting their own ideals onto him. Very quickly one can deduce the similarities of what our main character is experiencing and what it is like being an immigrant in this country. 

As well, our main character in general seems incredibly out of place in the new world he has found himself in. Though he is obviously from a civilization that is able to read minds and one that fixes things telekinetically; he is completely taken off guard by the streets of New York City. One can conflate his reaction to New York’s dirty and busy streets to how taken aback someone may feel immigrating to the United States. A shock, and almost weird feeling of being sold a false truth: smoke and mirrors. Though our main character definitely does not have this specific train of thought; his overall demeanor very obviously put off by his surroundings. And one cannot help but wonder: Is this all terrible and insanely confusing for him?

Think about it, we all know someone who has immigrated to this country. Whether they are a friend's parents, someone you are currently working with, or even your favourite teacher; we have all seen, heard, or even experienced first hand the immigrant experience. It is no secret that this country, and its bones, was built on the hard work of immigrants. And instead of celebrating the people that have made America what it is today, many people only see immigrants as a means to an end. Though our main character did not willingly descend onto Earth, he is experiencing a similar reaction to who he is, and what he can do to benefit those around him. Ultimately, this movie becomes a social satire, and we watch as our main character navigates a world that is consumed by labels, race, and social class.