Spencer Cohen‘s debut writing/directing feature film, THE COMPATRIOTS, is very much a labor of love. Based on real life, when Cohen was in High School and discovered his best friend was an illegal immigrant and was yet again facing the possibility of being deported to a country that he hardly even remembered.. When he later got to Film School, this innocuous situation inspired Cohen to make this film based around this, with the hopes that it would contribute to some discourse around the subject of immigration

Despite the sheer seriousness of the situation, Cohen imbued his story with some funny, touching moments

Cohen talks with QUEERGURU on the eve of the movie’s theatrical release on how he learned more about Dreamers (undocumented Americans who are brought to this country at a young age) and how they are stuck in a system with no answers and no path to permanent citizenship. This film and the story of so many undocumented Americans like his bf became more personal.

With the current hysterical (and dangerous ) political climate, where racism and jingoism are encouraged, Cohen’s timely, heart-stirring movie is a MUST SEE. Be warned, you’ll need a box of tissues when you view