Cesar Chavez (2014)

A biography of the civil-rights activist and labor organizer Cesar Chavez.

Director:

Diego Luna

Writers:

Timothy J. Sexton (screenplay by), Keir Pearson (story by)

Stars:

Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson

5 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kerry Adra	...	American Lady
Maynor Alvarado	...	Chato Chavez
Yancey Arias	...	Gilbert Padilla
Wes Bentley	...	Jerry Cohen
Sara Banerjee	...	Concerned Mother #1 (as Sarah Banerjee)
Liv Boughn	...	Concerned Mother #2
Darion Basco	...	Larry Itlong
Lisa Brenner	...	Jackie Stringer
Duncan Bridgeman	...	Anchor
Aldo Ceceña	...	Chucho
Michael Cudlitz	...	Sheriff Smith
Roger Cudney	...	Grower
Rosario Dawson	...	Dolores Huerta
America Ferrera	...	Helen Chavez
Rodolfo Figueroa	...	Mexican Farmer

Storyline

Chronicling the birth of a modern American movement, Cesar Chavez tells the story of the famed civil rights leader and labor organizer torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers. Passionate but soft-spoken, Chavez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle to bring dignity to people. Chavez inspired millions of Americans from all walks of life who never worked on a farm to fight for social justice. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one individual's ability to change the world.

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Plot Keywords:

liberation theology | yuma arizona | arizona | farm | farm worker | 

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Taglines:

History is made one step at a time.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cesar mentions Selma, in 1965 Martin Luther King Jr. who also did peaceful protest for black civil rights, Selma is also a town in Central California near Hanford and Lemoore

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Quotes

Cesar Chavez: [closing lines, archival footage] But I want more than anything else, I'd like to see the poor take a very direct part in shaping society. And let them make the decisions. And in our case, if the poor aren't involved, change will never come.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #31.10 (2014)

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Soundtracks

Beale Street Blues
Performed by Jack Teagarden
Written by W.C. Handy
Courtesy of Soundies/ The Orchard
By Arrangement with Fine Gold Music

User Reviews

Cesar Chaves, a film to open and inspire the heart

We live on the edge of a time when mass movements could once again become decisive. Cesar Chaves, Diego Luna's latest film, reminds us that heart is what empowers people to overcome injustice.

Luna has picked a fabulous cast and a respectable script that brings to life the immense story of a very intense struggle to give farmworkers the basic right to organize. Filmed where the real events took place, Luna captures the stark,windswept and washed out beauty of the vast Southern San Joaquin Valley. He shows us the faces of the people who toil so that we might live. Through a strong performance by John Malkovich, Luna captures the patriarchal mentality that allows one to exploit others to build wealth. This sparks outrage and one is moved to identify with the Chaves and the small brave band that he led.

Michael Pena as Chaves is believable and endearing because the methodical, measured intensity of the man comes through and when moments of rage and deep emotion well up in his character the contrast is riveting. You understand why people followed. But it is the women that I found most interesting, particularly America Ferrera as Helen Fabela Chaves. And without Dolores Huerta (Rosario Dawsom) he could not have succeeded. She was the more politically adept. It was the women in his life that empowered him to be great.

The film is not flawless and the 101 minute running time is the key problem. The story is simply too big given the number of compelling characters and the complexities of the real events. I longed to understand more about his son, his brother, the growers, Huerta and Helen. I would have appreciated seeing more of the power struggles among leaders, which must exist within any movement.

But overall, I am pleased that Luna, his cast and crew respectably brought to the cinema this very American story that helps me to remember why I love this country. Social movements do make progress despite darker forces because valiant hearts bonded by the vision of a better world do not give up.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA Mexico

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

28 March 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cesar Chavez

Filming Locations:

Sonora, Mexico

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,861,528, 30 March 2014

Gross USA:

$5,571,497

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,972,226

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canana Films, Equipment & Film Design, Imagenation Abu Dhabi FZ

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1