03/31/2014
PLEASANT HILL, Calif. —
The name "Cesar Chavez" is emblazoned on countless streets, parks and schools in California, but there has never been a feature film about the civil rights activist until now.
After screenings at the White House and select theatres earlier this week, the film went into wide release Friday.
Hollywood star Michael Pena plays Cesar Chavez, the activist who devoted his life to improving the treatment and working conditions of farm workers.
At a Cesar Chavez awards event at Los Medanos College in Pittsburg, Congressman George Miller told KTVU he can't wait to see the movie.
"When you were in his presence it was like, 'Ah, oh!'" said Miller as he recalled meeting Chavez several times. He says the fact Hollywood greenlighted a biopic on the activist is just one indicator of his impact in California and workers across the country.
The movie isn't just about Chavez's activism. It also delves into relationships, with his wife, son and the activist who helped start the United Farm Workers, Dolores Huerta.
It took time to convince the Chavez family to support a hollywood production and convince a studio to cast mostly Latinos.
The movie is a who's who of young Latino stars. Pena is joined by America Ferreira and Rosario Dawson.
But Nielsen numbers show hispanic audiences made up 18 percent of moviegoers last year, the biggest uptick of all groups.
Karen Hernandez, who describes herself as "Chicana", studies drama at Los Medanos. She is currently starring in a rare stage production about Chavez.
"I'm glad they actually made a movie about him...the difference that he made in our community."
Hernandez tells KTVU it's about time the founder of the United Farm Workers got the recognition he deserved outside the Latino community on the big screen.
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