Free registration: https://ucla-institute-of-american-cultures.eventbrite.com
Features, Documentaries, Shorts, Comedy, Writer/Director/Producer Q&A, Entertainment, Food
*All films written, directed, produced, and/or acted in by UCLA Alumni.
PROGRAM
11:30 a.m. Welcome
12 p.m. Chicano Studies Research Center
“Requiem-29” (1971) Riveting footage of the August 29, 1970, National Chicano Moratorium civil rights and anti-war protest in Los Angeles which attracted 50,000 Chicanos and led to a riot, inhumane treatment by police, and the death of Los Angeles Times journalist Ruben Salazar.
Speaker: Producer Moctesuma Esparza ’71 and MFA ‘73
“Chicana” (1979) Considered the first major feminist Chicana documentary, depicting the contributions of women as workers, mothers, activists, educators, leaders, and other roles, despite their generally oppressed status in Latino culture.
Speaker: Director/Writer/Producer Sylvia Morales ’72, MFA ’79
1:45 p.m. Asian American Studies Center
“Cruisin’ J-Town” (1974) This documentary by Duane Kubo follows the formation of the popular jazz fusion band, Hiroshima, in the late 70s. Includes a lively cross-cultural jam session between the band and the Chicano performing arts group, El Teatro Campesino.
Speaker: Director Duane Kubo ’75
“My Name is Asiroh” (2013) A young girl named Asiroh is bullied in school about her unusual name and wants to change it.
Speaker: Writer/Director Asiroh Cham ’04, MFA ’12
3 p.m. Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies
“Bless Their Little Hearts”(1983) Part of the vibrant New Wave of independent African-American filmmakers to emerge in the 1970s and 1980s including director Billy Woodberry, Charles Burnett (“Killer of Sheep”), Haile Gerima (“Sankofa”) and Julie Dash (“Daughters of the Dust”), this is the dramatic story of a family in Watts. The film, selected for the National Film Registry, was directed by Billy Woodberry ’82.
Speakers: Dominic Taylor and Ellen C. Scott, faculty in the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television
4:45 p.m. American Indian Studies Center
“On and Off the Rez with Charlie Hill” (1999) This inspiring and thought-provoking documentary by Sandra Osawa uses humor to challenge racism about Native people in America while profiling renowned American Indian comedian Charlie Hill’s life and rise in comedy. Stars Charlie Hill, Will Rogers, Steve Allen, Dick Gregory, Floyd Westerman and others.
Speaker: Director Sandra Osawa (Makah Tribe) MFA program 1970s
6 p.m. Reception
7 p.m. Feature Presentation
“Selena”(1997), the true story of Selena Quintanilla-Perez, a Texas-born Tejano singer who rose from cult status to create top albums on the Latin music charts. Directed by Gregory Nava ’71, MFA ’76, the film stars singer/actress Jennifer Lopez in her breakout role for which she earned a Golden Globe nomination, as well as Edward James Olmos and Jon Seda.
Speaker: Producer Moctesuma Esparza ’71 and MFA ‘73
