Screenings in Virginia and another in Texas

Screening of "undocumented"

Wednesday, April 18, 2007
College of William and Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia


Monday, April 30, 2007 7 p.m.
Center for Mexican American Studies
University of Texas at Austin

Screening in San Antonio

203 Miles trailer

The trailer for "203 Miles" included in the "undocumented" DVD on sale now.



Not sure when I'll have the funds and time to finish it, or if I'll make it into a feature but I'll at least produce a 30-40 minute short.

Screening at the University of Houston on 02.09.07

The screening will take place in the auditorium of the Architecture building (room ARC 150).

As some of you know, we were forced to turn away several people last screening because of the huge turnout. To ensure seating, please arrive promptly at 7:30 PM. I have edited the film down to only 75 minutes. So, if you have seen it before you'll be seeing a shorter, more concise version.

What: Screening of "undocumented"
Where: University of Houston
When: Friday, February 9, 2007 at 7:30 PM


Directions to this building from I-45 South (downtown).

- exit Cullen
- turn right on Cullen
- turn left at 1st light, Elgin St.
- turn right into UH Entrance 18
- the Architecture Building is straight ahead
- to park, turn right at stop sign
- turn right into parking lot 16B

Imprisoning Innocence

New Screenings Announced for "undocumented"

Here are the new screening dates. The times and locations will be posted as they are finalized.

Saturday, January 13, 2007
(private screening)
SEITAR

Friday, February 09, 2007
(free and open to the public)
University of Houston

(Date TBD, sometime in March)
University of Texas - San Antonio

(Date TBD, sometime in April)
(free and open to the public)
University of Texas - Austin

Houston Chronicle Article

The Houston Chronicle Article on me that started it all:

Final SEIU clips

For those who followed the strike, I'll give you an idea of what the victory felt like:

Screening of SEIU videos

Wednesday, November 29th, there will be a screening of some of the clips from the strike along with videos from other strikes. The screening will be at the Rice Media Center on the campus of Rice University at 7 PM.

See you there.

What a year.

This year has been incredible. It started out with making my first film "undocumented." It was exhausting. It was wonderful.

After "undocumented," I went to the border and shot Jay Johnson-Castro as he walked along the border. I learned much during those "203 Miles." Not just about the border communities but about myself also. I discovered so much that I'm considering that journey a private one and may not compile the documentary.

The day after I returned from the border, I began shooting the Janitor's strike. I met so many incredible activists from all over the country that SEIU had brought in for the war. Day after day we were in the trenches, on the streets, in the monolithic corporate buildings launching our non-violent attacks on our enemy. Everyday was an adrenaline rush. And the smiles and tears of the janitors after the contract had been agreed upon . . .

This year has been a turning point in my life and career.

And this is just the beginning.

We won.

Film Festival

I haven't been able to post because there is interest in my screenplay by some industry people I met at the festival. But I'll make time.

Video will be up by tonight.

East End Sicko

Or East End Rapist, whatever you want to call his dumb-ass, is undocumented. And the Houston Chronicle splashes it across their online front page:

Officials: Houston rape suspect in Houston illegaly

Yet you never see a headline like this:

HOUSTON MAN WHO CARES AND PROVIDES FOR HIS FAMILY IS HERE ILLEGALY

or

VALEDICTORIAN IN HOUSTON ILLEGALLY, DETERMINED TO OVERCOME EDUCATIONAL RESTRICTIONS

One idiot's sickness makes our work that much harder.

SEIU march 10.28

I don't mind being behind the camera. I enjoy it, actually. Constantly composing, reaching for the right angle, capturing that ephemeral truth before it's gone.

But I look into the tired eyes of the older women janitors and see my mother and I want to put the camera down and join them. My feet pounding again and again on the pavement in unison with theirs. The beat of my heart quickened to their pace. The momentum of the whole pushing us inexorably forward. Raising our voices high, loud, angry:

Justice for Janitors

My mother worked as a janitor when I was younger. She was a single mother raising three children. And we were undocumented.

We struggled.

My mom would work at least fourteen hours a day, sometimes six days a week. I remember my mom always being tired.

So, yeah, this is personal.

I'll be doing what I can as I hope everyone else will. It's impossible to provide even the basic necessities of a family on twenty dollars a day.