Cesar Chavez Biopic Conjures a '¡Sí se puede!' Attitude for Latino Audiences with Humble Simplicity, Not Hollywood Flash
History is hard to truly capture whether it be from word of mouth or literature, but when it comes to cinema, as a director you have a lot to contend with -- from creating the perfect backdrop, believable character portrayals and the flow of storytelling. It's a monumental task -- especially when it comes to an American audience, which can be a little more critical and hard to please.
So if you want to check out the Cesar Chavez biopic, don't expect any Hollywood flashiness, but instead you can take a huge bite out of humble pie, learn a lot bit about Latino-American history and recognize the depths of dedication and sacrifice it took for the iconic farm worker, labor leader and civil rights activist to implement change.
Cesar Chavez, directed by the talented Mexican actor-turned director Diego Luna, hit theaters on Friday, March 28 (it premiered in New York City on March 17). Luna, who is most notably known for his roles in Milk and Y Tu Mamá También (directed by Oscar Award-winning, fellow Mexican director, Alfonso Cuarón) told the Latin Post the making of the film has "been like a dream."
"When you do a film, you are always hoping that when it's ready, there is always an audience for it. This film has shown that there are some many out there who want this story to be told," he added. "You want to make sure that these people get celebrated."
And a celebration it was, the film has a lot of heart put into it, from an acting to production standpoint -- not to mention that it has had a tremendous political pull, was screened at the White House, and it raises awareness to the plight of Latinos in the United States, where the fight for justice, workers' rights, immigration reform and humanity dignity is ongoing.
The backdrop set in northern Mexico gives a realistic setting of the fields of California in the 1960's where Chavez, an iconic labor leader fought for farmers to unionize, have better pay and work conditions. The film highlights the five-year grape strike and how Chavez helped create the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers. His fight for equality, civil rights, political recognition and environmental justice reached far beyond farm workers and helped Latinos on a grander scale.
Michael Peña plays Cesar Chavez, America Ferrera plays his wife, Helen Chavez, Rosario Dawson plays Dolores Huerta, a labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers, and John Malkovich plays a farm owner in the film directed by Diego Luna.
How did the film do in the box office this weekend?
The film, which is playing at 664 locations, opened to $3 million this weekend, according to Box Office Mojo, which also points out that it could receive a boost today because it coincides with Cesar Chavez Day.
I was fortunate to get an inside look into the world of Cesar Chavez through the eyes of his son President and Chairman of the Cesar Chavez Foundation, Paul Chavez, who carries on his father's legacy as well as Arturo Rodriguez, who is the President of the United Farm Workers and director Diego Luna.
While some critics say that Luna "was earnest to a fault," and "the Chavez of the film is more saint than sinner, his complexities lost in sanding down the rough edges," Michael Peña, who plays Chavez, captures his quiet, humble soul and conjures a sense of vulnerability and desperation as he risks his life while fasting for the cause.
Audiences will also see the toll that being a powerful leader, spearheading a movement takes on a family. While the "stand by your man" traditional role is emphasized by Helen Chavez, she is strong and feisty in her own right as she raises her family of eight children.
"We were really happy the way she (America Ferrera) portrayed my mother. She had a lot of dignity, but with a lot of conviction," Paul Chavez explained.
"My mother -- it's pretty accurate portrayal of her -- she's a woman of few words, but tough. There's a scene where there is a big debate about should we join the strike or not." "Are we union, or not?" Helen Chavez says in the film.
Ferrera, who gave her all in the film, admitted, "There is a bit of pressure. She (Helen) was such an extraordinary woman and I wanted to do her justice. I have heard that she saw the film and that I got it right."
The relationship between Cesar Chavez and his oldest son, Fernando (Eli Vargas) parallels his father's movement, fasts and struggle to gain recognition. The sacrifice doesn't come without hardships, which is shown by his son's resentment. Some critics, may say this was "contrived," but I think it adds another human element to the story where the first-born is more impacted by his or her parents' life decisions.
Dawson, who plays Dolores Huerta is a beacon of strength, but she could have used a little more story time and character development, considering her important role in co-founding the National Farmworkers Association, which later became the United Farm Workers.
"Rosario Dawson was so dynamic and energetic -- and that's Dolores Huerta," added Paul Chavez.
As Voto Latino crusaders Dawson and Ferrera are both forces to be reckoned with -- both on and off screen.
Throughout the film, there are bits of news clips and flashes of the United Farm Workers' strikes and a powerful scene with Sen. Robert F. Kennedy (played by Jack Holmes), who backed Chavez and gave his support to the five-year grape strike -- he even joined the picket lines.
The scene in the film captures Robert F. Kennedy's first trip to Delano, Calif. where he attends a public hearing on the standoff between striking grape picketers and law enforcement. The conversation and the ignorance got him heated. Holmes gives an impressive portrayal of Kennedy with a Massachusetts accent and all -- I can attest to this being from the state!
While questioning a sheriff who admitted to arresting the strikers who "looked like they were ready to violate the law," Kennedy fire back, saying "May I suggest that during the luncheon period of time that the sheriff and the district attorney read the Constitution of the United States?"
"The casting -- they did a great job. They got Michael Peña that shares a lot of my father's physical characteristics," Paul Chavez said in an exclusive interview with the Latin Post.
"I want people to see this movie and understand visually, you don't have to be 6'2, have blond hair and a booming voice to be a powerful person -- you can be a small man, you can be a dark man and you can be humble, and your words can be powerful and motivating, so the casting of Michael fit that bill. My hope is that young Latinos will sit there and say that if someone like Cesar Chavez made a difference, then maybe I can," he said.
Watch Cesar Chavez in a theater near you, and you be the judge.
Check out the Latin Post's Cesar Chavez Coverage:
- Cesar Chavez NYC Movie Premiere Evokes Pride from Son Paul Chavez, Who Carries on Legacy
- Diego Luna on Directing 'Cesar Chavez' That's Impacting Washington: "It's Been Like a Dream"
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