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These oral histories, which were conducted
from 1986 to 1994 throughout Mexico and
the southwestern U.S., flow seamlessly between
historical incident and legends associated
with the deeds of Villa and his La Division
del Norte. Among those whose stories unfold
are Soledad Seanez, the wife of Villa at
the time of his death, residents of Columbus,
New Mexico, who recall Villa’s attack
on the U.S., and those who fought both with
and against Villa.
The film is extraordinary for its pioneering
use of new digital technologies, through
which it brings a compelling and contemporary
look to some 250 rare vintage photographs
of Villa and Revolution as well as authentic
motion picture footage shot by American
and Mexican film crews on the Revolution’s
battlefields. These images are skillfully
interwoven with the words and memories of
those interviewed to create a fascinating,
sometimes mysterious and always riveting
historical exploration that will inspire
discussion and analysis in all courses on
Mexican and 20th-century history.
The film has been honored at the Smithsonian
Portrait Gallery, Hawaii
International Film Festival, Ajijic
Festival Internacional de Cine Festival,
Los Angeles Latino
International Film Festival, Chicago
Latino Film Festival, San
Francisco Cine Festival, New
York Latino Film Festival, Latin
American Film Festival of Trieste,
Italy, San
Antonio Cinefestival – Award
Winner, and the Newport
Beach Film Festival. It has been
broadcast across the United States on PBS,
and has been hailed by critics and educators
alike. Various accredited Universities have
participated in on-campus screenings (University
of Arizona, Lake
Forest College, Dominican
College, University
of San Diego, University
of California at Santa Cruz, and
the University of California
at San Diego are just a few).
What the experts
say:
"Pancho Villa & Other Stories is
a very perceptive portrayal of popular attitudes
towards one of the 20th Century Mexico’s
most revered and controversial personalities."
—Friedrich
Katz
Author of The Life & Times of Pancho
Villa
University of Chicago, Professor of Mexican
History
"Pancho Villa & Other Stories captures
the spirit of the times. The execution of
"someone" by the firing squad
could have been my grandfather who was killed
that way when my father was eight. My father
died in 1994, eighty-six years old. He spoke
like those in your documentary."
—Refugio
Rochin
Director
Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives
"Pancho Villa & Other Stories is
a valuable tool for the teaching of Mexican
history. Beautiful and compelling, it offer
students a rare glimpse at the Mexican Revolution
and one of its legendary figures. A fine
contribution to the genre."
—James W.
Wilkie
UCLA Professor of Mexican History
Co-Chair, UCLA Latin American Studies
"This wonderfully provocative film
needs to be seen by students, teachers and
others concerned with history as it is studied
and taught today.
The film investigates how people remember
their past and pushes the bounds of historical
inquiry to new dimensions.
Here we have a talented filmmaker examining
history from his generation’s point
and the result is satisfying and stimulating."
—Dr. Paul
Vanderwood
Professor Emeritus of History
San Diego State University |
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