Jennifer previewed the HBO Films movie Walkout produced by Moctesuma Esparza and directed by Edward James Olmos earlier this month. This past weekend I had a chance to sit down and watch the story of the 1968 Chicano led student high school walkouts in East Los Angeles in 1968. I watched with my 8 year old daughter because considering the growing immigrant debate happening as demonstrated by the hundreds of thousands demonstrating this weekend in Los Angeles , I felt the connection was relevant and obvious.

The film, starring Alex Vega and other Latino actors, was in my opinion extremely well made and moving. I recommend it strongly for all familias. It serves as a reminder of where the Latino struggle for rights has come from. My daughter was especially shocked by the images of students being paddled by white teachers for speaking Spanish in class and the images of police beating up on the protesting students. It is being shown repeatedly on HBO and digital cable subscribers can catch it on HBO on Demand.

Another political film I saw this weekend on DVD was the 2001 documentary Fidel. Directed by Estela Bravo, the film is a shameless love letter to the Cuban leader. The film features rare footage of Fidel swimming (I don’t know if I needed to see that) and also features commentary from amigos and admiradores of Fidel ranging from the Colombian literary giant Gabriel Garcia Marquez to former Black Panther Angela Davis. I also strongly recommend this film although people in the anti-Castro camp may find themselves frustrated at the lack of criticism against Castro and his regime.
For more info on the film go to IMBD