Cesar Chavez [DVD] [2014]

An impressive true life film centering on the California grape strike in 1965 until 1970. It focuses on the self-sacrifice and determination of Cesar Chavez and his belief in non-violent action to forge change for oppressed workers.

This is the story of Cesar Chavez who took on the planters and growers in the southern US in order to end exploitation of immigrant workers. On his way he made a lot of sacrifices but so did his family - he had eight children and the film captures some of the familial strife that he underwent too.We also have the parts played by numerous politicians from Bobby Kennedy, Richard Nixon and Ronald `I don't use hair dye' Regan. This could be called one sided in that it is pretty black and white in its approach, however it has a genuine feel of authenticity and seems to match what I could find out about the man. That is the factual stuff; the emotional is obviously part poetic invention.Starring Michael Pena (`End of Watch' and `Fury') who puts in a solid performance and with able support from, amongst others, John Malkovich. This is a film that does not require very much analysis and you can just kick back and enjoy it. The real strength here is the message of unity and education and how that can make a change for the better. I for one really enjoyed it and irrespective of your political hue there will be something here for most people.

The film is nowhere near perfect as a summary of Cesar's life and the beginnings of the United Farm Workers Union BUT just the fact that someone is trying to tell an incredibly powerful story about a real hero makes it all worthwhile. Cesar and Dolores taught thousands of volunteers and supporters that change IS possible but that it requires hard work and real sacrifice to accomplish it. They fought giants and won! Today when most political campaigns are based solely on fundraising and TV time Cesar brought real strategies and new methods of fighting back. It's still needed today more than ever. Hasta la Victoria!

The film concentrates on the Grape Boycott era of the life of Cesar Chavez (Michael Peña ). The blight of the workers is shown in one quick interview where we find out they don't own anything and are illiterate. Chavez helps them by organizing them and giving them a weekly paper to read. The strike proved ineffective as rich evil Republicans brought illegals into the country to break their back. It wasn't until a national and European boycott of US grapes forced the evil John Malkovich to the table. It was all apparently started by a housewife from Portland.The film also covers the 25 day hunger strike of Chavez which was broken by black and white nightmares of evil Governor Reagan film footage. The film touches on his rocky relationship with his son and his chauvinistic attitude toward his wife. The charm and organizing ability of Chavez is briefly covered when he had to work the fields to gain the trust of the workers. RFK is also in the film as a Chavez supporter. His death, apparently caused by Reagan and vineyard owners, resulted in immediate shootings of picket line workers.I enjoyed the part of the Latino community reaching out to help the Filipino community. One of the reasons unions were not as strong as they could have been in America (especially the south) is due to racism. White people don't want black people in their unions which made it easy to break them or keep them from forming.This is an okay docudrama, but did little to raise my level of awareness or sympathy.Filmed in Mexico because it would be too hard to find enough legal looking Mexicans in the US.Parental Guide: No f-bombs, sex, or nudity.