On Film, What They Left Behind

That can leave people in limbo, he said.

"It's our generation's disaster, because they don't have the Salvadoran culture; they don't have the American culture, either. They have a serious problem of identity," Guevara said.

Salinas, whose family moved to the United States in stages over several years, was one of the children left behind when his parents came here to work. Today, the Arlington community activist sells houses in Intipucá. He said the Salvadoran dream is different from the American one in that many Salvadorans come here hoping to earn enough to eventually own houses back home.

Some in the Washington area have started an association, the United for Intipucá Foundation, which has raised about $1 million over the years for projects there, including a $400,000 soccer stadium. Other evidence of Washington, and Arlington, influence in the town include "Welcome to Intipucá" signs in English and a road named after Columbia Pike.

To make the movie, Salinas contacted Guevara, who had made two other documentaries about Salvadoran immigrants, and suggested to him that the 40th anniversary would be a good time to make a film about Intipucá. He introduced Guevara to Quiroz and found backers in the local Hispanic business community for the six-month, $7,000 project.

The viewing and exhibit are part of a series of events of Planet Arlington, a county program designed to explore issues of immigration, globalization and the environment through the lens of the arts and humanities.

Salinas said he was disappointed that local Salvadorans did not pack the theater for the free premiere last month. There were more empty seats than filled ones.

"We did a lot of advertising," he said. "But people work hard, and the distance is so long, and we do not create consciousness about it."

But, he said, he was working on that. In true Intipucan style, the movie's U.S. premiere was scheduled to be followed by its Salvadoran premiere, and Salinas and Quiroz were preparing last week to fly to Intipucá to show it.

Then the film will return here and, like an aspiring immigrant, it will become bilingual (subtitles) and start looking for a job (a spot in a film festival).

And for the busboys, dishwashers and others who couldn't make it to the premieres, Salinas plans to show the film in Salvadoran restaurants in spring.

For information on Planet Arlington, call 703-228-1850 or visithttp://www.planetarlington.com.