Post-screening panel illuminates the impact of the arts on the movement
Irvine, Calif., September 9, 2024 — The Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UC Irvine, in collaboration with Chicano/Latino Studies in the School of Social Sciences, Jack & Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art, School of Social Ecology, UCI Labor Center, UCI Libraries, UCI OC Alliance, and the UCI Office of Inclusive Excellence, will screen A Song for Cesar at the Irvine Barclay Theatre on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 7 p.m.
The film, by Andres Alegria and Abel Sanchez, tells the story of the alliance that Cesar Chavez and farmworker activists formed with musicians and artists in the 1960s and ‘70s to fight for the rights of farm workers. Members of Cesar’s family, key figures of the movement like Dolores Huerta and artists and musicians like Joan Baez, Carlos Santana and many more, tell the story of marching, singing, painting, acting and standing side-by-side with the farm workers in their struggle for justice. A Song for Cesar blends together music, art and the striving for social justice emblematic of the period with a contemporary and timely reminder of art's role in progressive change.
“We are excited to be screening this timely and important film,” said Tiffany López, Claire Trevor Dean of the Arts. “Our many campus and community partners are coming together to explore how a historical figure like Cesar Chavez, and artistic production, such as music and film, engage the human experience and impact us on so many levels.”
"Reveals the beating heart of culture-driven activism...The kind of labor of love that brings recent history into colorful and tuneful focus. And with condition for farmworkers these days hardly tolerable still, maybe this movie can be absorbed as a song "from" Cesar too."
— Los Angeles Times
"A celebration of the organizers, musicians and artists comprising Cesar Chavez's Farmworkers movement...Tells a previously untold story about the musicians and artists who dedicated their time, creativity and reputations to peacefully advance Chavez's movement of labor organizing in pursuit of better wages and working conditions for farmworkers. Also explores other facets of Chavez's life — from childhood to his final days — revelations that, until now, have not been shared on screen."
— Variety
The screening will close Hispanic Heritage Month as a celebration of UC Irvine's Latine Community. A panel discussion moderated by Dean López and featuring the filmmakers, members of the Chavez family, experts in Chicanx music, and members of the United Farm Workers movement, will follow the film.
Watch the trailer or book your own community screening:
WHAT: A Song for Cesar Documentary Screening
WHERE: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
WHEN: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
About UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts: As UCI’s creative engine, the Claire Trevor School of the Arts has proven itself to be a national leader in training future generations of artists and scholars who go on to inspire audiences in theaters, galleries and concert halls – as well as in entertainment and technology-related venues throughout the world. CTSA combines artistic training with a top-ranked liberal arts education. It is home to the departments of art, dance, drama and music, offering 15 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and two minors. CTSA is currently ranked No. 1 in affordable fine arts, drama/theater, and music degrees by the College Affordability Guide. Courses include extensive studio, workshop, and performance experiences; theoretical and historical studies; and arts and technology practices. CTSA’s nationally ranked programs begin with training but culminate in original 5 invention. The distinguished, international faculty work across a wide variety of art forms and forge interdisciplinary partnerships with others across the campus. For more information, visit arts.uci.edu.
About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 222 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy. For more on UCI, visit uci.edu.
Media access: Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus ISDN line to interview UCI faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UCI news, visit news.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at communications.uci.edu/for-journalists.
