Bisbee '17 is a documentary film directed by Robert Greene that explores the complicated legacy of the copper-mining industry in Bisbee, Arizona and the impact it had on the town's inhabitants. The film interweaves historical footage with contemporary interviews and scenes of the town's centennial commemorations of the Bisbee Deportation.
The film captures the town's ongoing efforts to come to terms with a painful chapter in its history, as residents stage elaborate theatrical performances based on their own interpretations of what happened. Some residents see the deportation as a necessary measure to restore order in a time of labor unrest, while others view it as a brutal act of violence against workers who were fighting for their rights.
The film also explores the personal stories of several Bisbee residents, including a young undocumented immigrant who learns about the town's history and grapples with his own identity, and a man who discovers long-buried secrets about his own family's role in the deportation.
As the centennial commemoration approaches, tensions within the town escalate, leading to a powerful recreation of the Bisbee Deportation that brings together residents from all walks of life. Through these performances, the film offers a nuanced and complex portrait of a community struggling to reconcile its past with its present.