Frontline Season 19 Episode 9 Saving Elian

In season 19 episode 9 of Frontline, titled "Saving Elian," the show delves into the international custody battle that unfolded in the aftermath of the 1999 shipwreck of a Cuban family attempting to flee to the United States. The focus of the episode is on the fate of 5-year-old Elian Gonzalez, the lone survivor of the shipwreck, and the political firestorm that erupted over whether he should stay with relatives in the United States or be returned to his father in Cuba.

The episode follows the story from the initial moments of the rescue of Elian and his arrival in Miami, where he was taken in by his great-uncle and aunt. Soon after, his father in Cuba began fighting for his return, setting off a legal battle that quickly became entangled in politics and diplomacy.

The show explores the complex legal arguments on both sides of the fight, as well as the intense emotional reactions of the Cuban-American community in Miami, who saw Elian's case as a symbol of their struggle against the communist government in Cuba. Frontline highlights the deep divisions that emerged in the community, as well as the ways in which the case became a flashpoint for broader political debates about immigration and U.S. relations with Cuba.

The episode features interviews with key figures involved in the case, including Elian's relatives in Miami, his father and other officials from Cuba, and politicians and attorneys from both sides of the case. Frontline also makes use of archival footage and news coverage from the time, giving viewers a sense of the high-stakes drama that surrounded the case.

Throughout the episode, Frontline poses complex questions about the morality and legality of international custody battles, as well as the ways in which political considerations can shape legal outcomes. The show does not take a definitive stance on the case, but rather presents a nuanced exploration of the many factors at play.

The episode concludes with an examination of the aftermath of the case, and the ways in which it has continued to resonate in the years since. Frontline reflects on the profound impact the case had on both Elian and the wider community, and raises important questions about the long-term effects of custody battles on children and families.

Overall, "Saving Elian" is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged exploration of a highly controversial and complex case. It offers viewers a chance to delve into the legal, political, and emotional dimensions of the story, and to grapple with some of the profound questions it raises about family, politics, and the law.