THIS WEEK ON LATINOPIA: A.P.GONZALEZ & “THE WETBACK,” JOSEFINA LOPEZ’S CASA 0101 AND JOSE UMPIERRE ON THE 1950 NATIONALIST INSURRECTION.
We have quite a wide range of topics this week! Writer/Director A.P. Gonzalez brings us a look at his latest production, an independent short titled “The Wetback,” which is based on the novel by Ron Arias, The Road to Tamazunchale. Gonzalez has taken a complex novel and pulled a short story from it and has elaborated it into a poignant film dealing with themes of family, immigration and resilience. Not to be missed, check it out!
Celebrated playwright and author Josefina Lopez speaks about her fantastic theater center CASA 0101, and their current fundraising efforts. The success of CASA 0101 is truly an inspiration. Not only do they produce major dramatic works and musicals, but they also have an active school training a new generation of actors. Under Josefina’s guidance CASA 0101 promotes original dramas written, acting and directed by Latinos and Latinas.
And our regular blogger Jose M. Umpierre returns with a review of a new documentary on the Puertorican nationalist insurrection of the early 1950s which, besides uprisings throughout the island, included an attack on Blair House and the United States House of Representatives in 1954. The film and the events it chronicles have an eerie resonance in today’s political climate and the current economic crisis. As always Don Jose brings us insight, wisdom and inspiration.
Enjoy your week on Latinopia!
Tia Tenopia