(MENAFN- Arab Times) WASHINGTON July 14 (Agencies): The new documentary 'Underwater Dreams' follows four teenage boys living in Arizona as they build an underwater robot for a major science competition. On its surface the story seems unremarkable. But their parents are Mexicans who are living in the United States illegally and their high school is plagued by gangs and poverty. American documentary maker Mary Mazzio said she set out to show just what the children of Hispanic immigrants can accomplish especially if the US Congress passes immigration reform eliminating obstacles for them to attend college and to work. 'You have four kids that come from nothing and look what they did' Mazzio said in a recent telephone interview. 'There are millions of kids like them. All they need is a little bit of opportunity to flourish.'
Organized Narrated in English by actor Michael Pena 'Underwater Dreams' shows how two science teachers decided to enter the Phoenix high school in the robot competition organized by NASA by 2004 and the kids went on to beat teams from several prestigious universities including MIT. 'Underwater Dreams' screens Friday at commercial movie theaters in New York and Los Angeles and the AMC movie chain has promised 100 free showings to community groups around the country. Telemundo MSNBC and Mun2 will also simultaneously transmit a 44-minute version of the documentary in the United States at 1 pm EDT on July 20. Although three of the four youths have not attended college in the US because of their migratory situation the film shows how high school students with limited opportunities can succeed if given the chance. The showing of the documentary Mazzio's eighth comes several weeks after the Republican majority in the House of Representatives announced it would not vote this year for immigration reform legislation earlier approved by the Senate. ''Will the film change anything Absolutely not but if we can open one disbeliever's eyes on the magnitude of opportunities for these children then we can start changing hearts and minds' she said. Mazzio said her film also promotes the importance of careers in science and technology for Hispanics. The filmmaker said she decided to look deeper at the Hispanic experience in the US following the success for her 2011 documentary 'The Apple Pushers' about immigrant street vendors selling fresh fruit from carts in New York neighborhoods suffering from obesity. Penelope Cruz is in negotiations to join Sacha Baron Cohen in the soccer hooligan action comedy 'Grimsby' an individual familiar with the project tells TheWrap. Louis Letterier is directing the film which follows Mark Strong as a British black ops spy who is forced to go on the run and team up with his English football hooligan brother (Baron Cohen). Ian McShane Rebel Wilson Annabelle Wallis David Harewood Gabourey Sidibe and English comedian Johnny Vegas all co-star while Isla Fisher also has a supporting role. Cruz will likely play a supporting role as a femme fatale. 'Grimsby' is now shooting in the UK. Rising star Christina Chong who can currently be seen on '24: Live Another Day' will play the female lead in Sergio Mimica-Gezzan's digital feature project 'Halo: Nightfall' TheWrap has learned. Chong joins TV veteran Mike Colter in the live-action project which hails from 343 Industries Xbox Entertainment Studios and Scott Free Productions. Ridley Scott and Scott Free TV president David Zucker are executive producing 'Halo: Nightfall' which was written by 'Prison Break' creator Paul Scheuring. It is completely separate from the 'Halo' TV series that Steven Spielberg is producing for Xbox One. Chong will play the female lead of Macer though character details remain under wraps. Sparked by the enormously popular video game franchise the 'Halo' brand has generated revenues of more than $4 billion. Chong is an up-and-coming actress who has a very bright future ahead of her. She recently wrapped the feature film 'Stuck' with Patrick Stewart and Gary Cole as well as the TV series 'Line of Duty' and 'The Wrong Mans.' Chong previously appeared in Madonnaes 'W.E.' and the British shows 'Black Mirror' 'Monroe' 'Whitechapel' and 'Doctor Who.' She's represented by Piers Nimmo Management and Thruline Entertainment.
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