The May 18 screening at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Linwood Dunn Theater was a great success!

Hundreds of wonderful people came out to see Weaving the Past and to support the Museum of Social Justice.  We could . . . → Read More: Screening at Linwood Dunn Theater: Red Carpet and Audience Response]]>

The May 18 screening at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Linwood Dunn Theater was a great success!

Hundreds of wonderful people came out to see Weaving the Past and to support the Museum of Social Justice.  We could not be more grateful.

Here is a clip from the Red Carpet reception and some audience reaction to the film.  Enjoy!

Click here to read the full article at . . . → Read More: Weaving The Past Featured in Pop Goes The Week]]> Brian Balthazar of Pop Goes The Week wrote a great piece on Weaving the Past and Walter reveals more about what inspired him to make it.

Click here to read the full article at popgoestheweek.com.

Julio Martinez interviews Producer/Director/Writer Walter Dominguez and Executive Producer Shelley Morrison about their documentary film, “Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery.”

Dancer, actor, musician, journalist, critic, playwright… multi-talented and accomplished Julio Martinez is host of “Arts in . . . → Read More: Audio – KPFK interviews Walter and Shelley]]>

Downloadable Audio Interview:

Julio Martinez interviews Producer/Director/Writer Walter Dominguez and Executive Producer Shelley Morrison about their documentary film, “Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery.”

Dancer, actor, musician, journalist, critic, playwright… multi-talented and accomplished Julio Martinez is host of “Arts in Review” a weekly radio program on KPFK 90.7 FM, a public-supported radio station whose programs are accessible with internet access in real-time anywhere around the world.

Mr Martinez was the theater critic for 18 years for Daily Variety – the entertainment industry’s most important newspaper, and he has had a 25 year association with KPFK. He invited Walter and Shelley to come talk about their film after Julio saw it and was captivated by it’s rich tapestry of humanity and history.

Listen to or download the interview via this link:

kpfk_130412_140030artsinreview

Mexico was collapsing under the oppressive weight of . . . → Read More: A Time of Justice – Praxedis Guerrero]]>

Praxedis Gilberto Guerrero died one hundred and three years ago on the morning of December 30, 1910. He died a hero for the cause of revolution in his deeply troubled homeland, Mexico.

Mexico was collapsing under the oppressive weight of decades of the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz, and of oligarchs who benefited immensely and disproportionately from his policies. In November 1910, Prax and a comrade rode the train east from Los Angeles, California, where they had established a base for their newspapers and the Partido Liberal Mexicano organization, the PLM, founded and led by Ricardo Flores Magón. Praxedis was a brilliant writer, journalist and newspaper editor, and Magón relied on him to run the PLM’s revolutionary activities in the U.S. and Mexico. This was necessary because Los Angeles and U.S. federal authorities found ways to keep Magón locked up in Los Angeles County prison. Before boarding the Southern Pacific train to El Paso, Texas, Prax took his personal things to his Los Angeles American friends, the socialists and journalists Ethel and John Kenneth Turner. There he said goodbye, adding that he knew he would never return, and that his things should be sent to his sister in Mexico. He was handsome, dashing and well educated; he was from a wealthy provincial family in Mexico. But he had taken up the cause of the poor and dispossessed since childhood. He was just 28 years old and would not live to see his next birthday.

El Paso, Texas, just over the border from the Mexican state of Chihuahua, was filling with refugees from the increasingly dangerous and chaotic country of Mexico. It was a hotbed of anti-Díaz revolutionaries, and of U.S. and Díaz’s secret agents seeking to apprehend them. In El Paso, Prax called upon men who were veterans of his failed previous attempt in 1908 to begin the insurrection against Díaz. On December 19, Guerrero led his force of twenty-two men on horses across the Río Grande into Mexico, hijacked a train, appropriated horses, arms and food, took in more rebels, and on December 29 confronted the authorities of Janos, Chihuahua. The mayor of Janos agreed to surrender the town to Prax’s forces on the morning of December 30. But when Praxedis learned that this presidente municipal had wired for federal troops, Prax launched a surprise attack at 10 P.M. the night of the 29th. By morning, after a long night of intense fighting, the rebels gained control of Janos. But federal troops arrived and during the barrage of bullets that ensued, Prax took to a rooftop and was shot through the eye. He died instantly. The eye that hemorrhaged blood had once looked out at a world of pain and suffering for the masses of Mexican people; but it also saw beyond that to a time of economic and social fairness, and justice for all. On January 1st, 1911, the voice that was now silent echoed in the minds of surviving companions retreating across the scorching Chihuahua desert, and in the coming years still stirred the hearts of those who had heard Praxedis speak with his strength of conviction and sincerity. His words and thoughts continue to live on through his powerful writings. By May 1911 Porfirio Díaz was forced into exile, and the ten year long Mexican Revolution had begun and there was no turning back. One out of five Mexicans died from the chaos and violence. Hundreds of thousands fled the country and most went to the U.S. Southwest, especially booming Los Angeles where safety and jobs could be found. Eventually, peace returned to Mexico and a new social order began to take shape.

No one knows for certain if the body inside the monument built to house his remains in the capital city of Chihuahua, in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico is actually that of Praxedis Gilberto Guerrero, but he is remembered and honored as one of Mexico’s national heroes. One hundred and three years after his death, however, violence and fear have returned to Mexico, and his impassioned call for a world of social and economic equality and justice awaits fulfillment.

Praxedis Guerrero

• Spanish

The film received tears of joy and a rousing standing ovation from the audience.  In attendance were people who worked on the film, friends of . . . → Read More: Audience Responds to Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery!]]> On March 17th we held a screening for Weaving the Past: Journey of Discovery at Raleigh Studios’ Chaplin Theater.

The film received tears of joy and a rousing standing ovation from the audience.  In attendance were people who worked on the film, friends of the project, many wonderful members of the Emilio Hernandez Family and avid film lovers who chose to spend their St. Patrick’s Day evening with us.  Thank you all for coming!

Afterwards, several audience members took the time to share their thoughts about the film. See what they had to say…

Wow!

Below are more of the many wonderful comments we received!

“Dear Walter, thanks for a great showing. It is a fantastic documentary. Congratulations!” – Albino Pineda (friend of Emilio Hernandez)

“Walter…last night was amazing. Thank you so much for allowing us into your world, past/history. I’m grateful. Have a blessed day.” – Will Gelhaar (psychologist, writer)

“What an amazing documentary Walter!!! My friend and I were taking about it – I was so taken with your beginning and the events and timing that led you to unlock your family’s past were so well portrayed that I felt like part of your journey. Well done!!!” – Linda Baker (founder of A.N.G.E.L.S. Day)

“I congratulate both of you for such a great film!!! THANK YOU, OUTSTANDING!!” – Betty Venegas Huebner

“Thank you so much for the great honor of being invited to join you on your amazing, and for me, game changing Journey of Discovery. I cannot begin to tell you how differently I came away from the movie. Not only the insight that you brought about your own longing for connection to your Tata and the eye opening journey of the Mexican people, but the way Ive been thinking about my own family since last night. I am in deep gratitude.” – Robin McDonald (actor, comedienne)

“I was deeply moved by Walter’s passionate journey to find the missing links to his past. I loved all the old photos, and the film itself was shot so well. I really liked seeing all the fact-finding locations the filmmakers visited, and I learned so much about Mexico’s history which I never knew before!” – Anne

“What a fantastic film! So moving and well-constructed. We both teared up, and among other things I’m especially impressed with the sheer amount of research that went into it. Congratulations on a wonderful evening.” – Mark Wild (professor of history, Cal State LA)

“Both Sally and I want to thank you and Shelley for a wonderful viewing evening and congratulate you on a powerfully moving film. Thank you for this inspiring tapestry woven from your grandfather’s life of love and service, from the troubling and inspiring story of social injustice and the PLM, and from your own quest for identity and meaning in history… Thanks to you and Shelley for the memories.” – Rennie B. Schoepflin (Associate Dean of College of Letters & Natural Sciences, Cal State LA)

“Outstanding job Shel and Walter. Really enjoyed the journey and the enlightening story of your family’s many fascinating twists and turns. Your story speaks to so many people and will, no doubt, inspire others to understand their histories and paths in life. Ruth and I were honored to be included.” – Trey Baskett (LAPD mounted patrol police officer)

“Dear Walter and Shelley, Thank you for inviting Mindi and me to your special event screening, and for allowing us to share not only in the journey of the project itself, but to share in a personal journey that the film depicts. We were so appreciative of being able to gain a deeper understanding of you, the process and the incredible family saga (intertwined with history) that led to the creation of Weaving the Past.“ – James Napoli & Mindi

“Walter, Walter, Walter… You never cease to amaze me. Wow! You have left me speechless with your passionate search for your truth, your history. Your journey will inspire many of us who have lost hope … your words and vulnerability fueling the fires in our souls that have been abandoned; and long forgotten. From the heart straight to my heart… bullseye baby!… I feel privileged to have been a part of your new beginning. Love you both.” – Tania Carmenate

“Wow! I was there, on your journey. Powerful story telling… many of the images and words have stayed with me. Congratulations!” – Gloria Hillard (CCN, NPR correspondent)

“Thank you Walter. I am truly inspired by your work. Thanks for bringing us all together through this medium…. such an inspiring documentary. You have inspired us all! Love you!” – Matthew Brooks (Great grandson of Emilio Hernandez)

“Your family is lucky to have such a dedicated filmmaker document the history of their ancestors. A great film! Congratulations!” – Dane Smith (Producer at Deluxe 3D)

“Congratulations Walter and Shelley for this amazing production. You opened a new door to and for our family that will always be treasured. Love and kisses to you both.” – Laura Hernandez (Emergency Management consultant and granddaughter of Emilio Hernandez)

“What an accomplishment!!!!!!!! I am so pleased I was able to come and see what your labor of love looks and feels like! It was inspiring and such an achievement it took my breath away.” – Michelle Carmichael (Actor)

“I have been reviewing the written and spoken comments of many of the people who have viewed your documentary, “Weaving The Past: Journey of Discovery.” I can only repeat many of the descriptive appreciative remarks. I loved the subject matter, the universal appeal of tracing your roots and the professionalism of the entire project. It hit all the buttons and left me wanting more.” – Hank Alcouloumre

“The Pyramid of Capitalist System” was a popular poster that was first printed in In 1911, to graphically illustrate the place of the worker at the bottom of a capitalist society, while supporting all levels above.

It also illustrates that the infographic is . . . → Read More: The Pyramid of Capitalist System]]>

“The Pyramid of Capitalist System” was a popular poster that was first printed in In 1911, to graphically illustrate the place of the worker at the bottom of a capitalist society, while supporting all levels above.

It also illustrates that the infographic is not such a new invention.

Focusing on developing a workers’ culture with information and ideas conveyed through . . . → Read More: What Anarchy Was Not]]> Anarchism is not vandalism, or terrorism. It is a loose-knit worker’s movement beginning in Europe of the early-mid 19th century, and coming to the United States and Latin America in later decades.

Focusing on developing a workers’ culture with information and ideas conveyed through workers’ newspapers and leaflets, anarchists were not interested in nipping at the heels of governments, capitalists and bourgeois business interests by vandalizing their property or blowing up bridges to get attention, but in going about the long term work of empowering workers to set up an alternative relationship between their labor and the products of their labor.

The International Workers of the World movement (the IWW, or the “Wobblies”) was one such workers movement that was developed out of anarchist ideas and goals. While there were always some marginal “lose cannons” who blew things up in a misguided attempt to call attention to and gain sympathy for their cause, the major part of anarchism was educating working people as to their human and civil rights, and to non-violent organizing of workers.

Southern California Native people suffered brutally at the hands of newcomers to the area beginning in the late 18th century with the arrival of Spanish missionaries, followed by Mexican “Californio” rancheros, followed by Americans and other European immigrants starting in the early-mid 19th . . . → Read More: The Demise of Native Californians]]>

Southern California Native people suffered brutally at the hands of newcomers to the area beginning in the late 18th century with the arrival of Spanish missionaries, followed by Mexican “Californio” rancheros, followed by Americans and other European immigrants starting in the early-mid 19th century.

Until the arrival of these immigrants to the New World, California had the greatest populations of Native peoples anywhere north of the Valley of Mexico, some estimates even as high as one million.  Native people have occupied Southern California for at least eleven thousand years!

Within a century of occupation by foreigners, the native population had been decimated to a few thousand people scattered around the region. Many had to hide their Indian identity in order to survive, or to avoid forced relocation to postage stamp-size reservations, adopting Spanish surnames or marrying and mixing in with Mexican and other ethnic families. That tribes and bands of California natives exist at all today is not just a miracle, but a testament to the resistance, tenacity and strength that resides within humans when they are constantly under the pressure of annihilation.