Cine Las Americas to Open May Festival With American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez

There are few more important celebrations in Austin of Hispanic, Latino, and Chicano cultures than Cine Las Americas International Film Festival. For its 28th iteration, running May 13-17, the festival remains as relevant as ever, with the announcement of American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez as this year’s opening night film. 

Poster designed by Victoria Villasana, winner of this year’s public poster competition

Valdez has been called the godfather of Chicano theatre. In this new documentary narrated by Edward James Olmos, director David Alvarado (Bill Nye Science Guy) explores how Valdez translated his own experiences as the son of migrant workers in Delano, California to the stage and then the screen, with his seminal work, Zoot Suit. That play went from Broadway to Hollywood and opened the door for him to write and direct La Bamba, his biopic of groundbreaking pop icon Ritchie Valens. However, his impact wasn’t just in bringing Hispanic stories to non-Hispanic audiences, as Alvarado explores Valdez’s continuing influence and importance to Chicano theatre culture and institutions.

After winning both the Audience and Festival Favorite awards at this year’s Sundance, American Pachuco will open CLAIFF with a special gala screening and reception, with guests to be announced. It will make its broadcast premiere on PBS in the fall as a co-presentation of VOCES and American Masters.

CLAIFF has also announced that early bird sales for this year’s festival will go on sale this Friday, April 3, at 9am. Passes will be available for $120 ($30 off the regular $150 price) and if you’re among the first 28 people to buy one, you’ll get it for the super-discounted price of only $28, to commemorate the fest’s 28th year. Details at cinelasamericas.org.

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