[film] “A Song for Cesar” & panel discussion [free event] // Los Altos
“A Song for Cesar” is a documentary film with a unique view of the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez and the farmworker movement.
The documentary also explores other facets of Cesar’s life – from childhood to his final days – revelations that, until now, have not been shared on screen.
The documentary project was inspired by a man, a song, and a poet.
Fri, April 29, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Smithwick Theatre
12345 El Monte Road
Los Altos Hills, CA 94022.
The film tells a previously untold story about the musicians and artists – including Joan Baez, Maya Angelou, and Carlos Santana, among others – who dedicated their time, creativity and even reputations to peacefully advance Cesar Chavez’s movement to gain equality and justice for America’s suffering farmworkers.
In 2004, Abel Sanchez and Jorge Santana wrote the lyrics and the music to “Song for Cesar” as a tribute to the legacy of Cesar Chavez, the farmworker movement, the United Farm Workers Union, and farmworkers and their families. They put the words to music and set the song to a short video infused with iconic images of musicians and artists working side-by-side with Cesar to give voice to struggling farmworkers.
Soon after, Abel shared the video set to “Song for Cesar” with his life-long friend, the esteemed poet Maya Angelou. Upon viewing it, Ms. Angelou told Abel that the story of Cesar and the musicians who elevated his peaceful movement must be shared with the world more thoroughly – by way of a full documentary. The film would serve to educate generations old and new about Cesar’s legacy of impactful, peaceful protest and how perseverance, coupled with artistic inspiration, could help change the world for the better. Ms. Angelou insisted that Abel promise to make the film – which he did. With his deepest respect and admiration for her, there was no way Abel would deny fulfilling his vow to this remarkable woman.
Abel and his partner Andres Alegria then embarked upon creating the documentary “A Song for Cesar” in what would become a 16-year labor of love.
The ultimate goal of “A Song for Cesar” is to educate and inspire. Now more than ever, people struggle for justice and to be heard. Much can be learned by recalling Cesar’s brave and peaceful movement that lifted oppressed farmworkers and their families out of unfathomable conditions and created a movement that lives on today.
The film will be followed by a panel discussion.
Panel Participants:
- Andres Alegria, Co-Producer and Director for “A Song for Cesar”
- Abel Sánchez, Co-Producer and Director for “A Song for Cesar”
- Lynn Rivas, Associate Director of Hidden Villa
- Representative from the Cesar Chavez Foundation
This FREE event is sponsored in partnership with Foothill College, Hidden Villa, and Los Altos History Museum.
