Above Photo: Flickr/ Aberdeen Proving Ground
ll folks, it’s September again, which means a whole year has passed since we last celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. A year that brought us cultural milestones like Jane the Virgin, Chile campeón, and Donald Trump – demonstrative evidence that in life you win some, and you lose some. So while we’ll let white America take Hispanic Heritage Month as an opportunity to reflect on the profound impact Latinos have had on American culture, from Jordi Farragut up through Sonia Sotomayor, it’s also a good opportunity for us to celebrate the richness and diversity of our own experience.
How, you might ask? Naturally there are at least a thousand ways we can do just that, but here we decided to narrow that list down to 20: that is, 20 Latino films from PBS that you can stream for free online. From Latino Public Broadcasting to Independent Lens and P.O.V., we already know PBS has shown a deep commitment to Latino stories over the years, which has resulted in a veritable treasure trove of world-class documentaries. But you may not have known that the folks at PBS have been kind enough to make a large part of this audiovisual fortune available for free online including their 4-hour epic doc on Latin music.
From undocumented college hopefuls, to recovering drug addicts giving high school a second shot, teen moms struggling with tough decisions, and families torn apart by deportation, these are stories that get to the heart of our struggles, hopes, and achievements. And now’s as good a time as any to heat up the popcorn, fry up some plátanos, and remember that through the good and bad, it’s great to be Latino.
1
Reportero
Stream Reportero here.
Synopsis
Reportero follows Sergio Haro, a veteran photojournalist for Zeta, a Tijuana-based weekly newspaper. Even in the face of constant death threats, Zeta’s reporters refuse to censor themselves and routinely publish the names and photos of narco traffickers and corrupt politicians. At the heart of film is Haro’s daily life as a journalist. He sometimes questions himself — the danger, the threats to his life — is journalism really worth dying for? His devotion to his craft is unshakeable. This chilling documentary succeeds at painting a powerful portrait of a man committed to social justice and exposing the truth, no matter the cost.
2
Ruben Salazar: Man In the Middle
Stream Ruben Salazar: Man in the Middle here.
Synopsis
This documentary examines the life and death of pioneering Mexican-American journalist Ruben Salazar. At the heart of the story is his transformation from a mainstream, establishmentLos Angeles Times reporter to a supporter and primary chronicler of the radical Chicano movement of the late 1960s. Killed by a law enforcement officer in 1970, Salazar became a martyr to the Latino community.
3
Irma
Stream Irma here.
Synopsis
POV presents a portrait of Irma Gonzalez, the former world champion of women’s professional wrestling. Filmed in Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl — a notorious district of Mexico City — Irmacontradicts everything we have come to expect from stories reported from Mexico. Featuring music written and performed by Ms. Gonzalez, her story surges with love and deceit, masculine strength, feminine charms, and humor.
4
El reloj
Stream El reloj here.
Synopsis
Like every Sunday morning, a Zapotec grandfather goes to the city of Oaxaca to visit his granddaughter for the day. Their ritual consists of attending mass and window shopping throughout the city. On this particular Sunday, their routine is disrupted when they pass by a stand selling watches.
5
El doctor
Stream El doctor here.
Synopsis
In an Arizona Home Depot parking lot, a married couple — Andrew and Jen — hires undocumented day laborer Carlos and his buddy to repair their deck. As Carlos washes up in the family’s bathroom, 7-year-old Jonah interrupts him. A tragedy of errors puts Carlos’ and Andrew’s lives at risk, leaving everyone caught between their individual consciences and the law.
6
You’re Dead to Me
Stream You’re Dead to Me here.
Synopsis
In suburban Inglewood, California, Andrea — a grieving Chicana mother — confronts an unwanted family member before her Día de Muertos celebration. By night’s end, death offers her a choice that she couldn’t make in life.
7
Border Bedazzlers
Stream Border Bedazzlers here.
Synopsis
Hoping to heal the divide between Mexico and the United States, an inspired group of artists turn the border wall into a giant canvas.
8
Frontera! Revolt and Rebellion on the Rio Grande
Stream Frontera! Revolt and Rebellion on the Río Grande here.
Synopsis
An animated history lesson looking at northern Mexico during the colonial era, this is a garish and bloody account of repression and resistance under Spanish rule. The enslavement, exploitation, and massacre of indigenous peoples resulted in a series of uprisings against the conquistadores, whose voracious appetite for wealth and power motivated their campaign of terror against the people. The film highlights how spiritual beliefs and indigenous culture were fundamental to the struggle and continue to be relevant to modern-day Latinos.
9
Los graduados
Stream Los graduados here.
Synopsis
This two-part special examines the many roots of the Latino dropout crisis through the eyes of six inspiring young students who are part of an ongoing effort to increase graduation rates for a growing Latino population.
10
Sin País
Stream Sin País here.
Synopsis
Nearly twenty years ago, Sam and Elida Mejia escaped Guatemala during a violent civil war and brought their one-year-old son to California. They worked hard, raised a family, and lived the American dream. Two years ago, immigration agents stormed the Mejias’ house and they have been fighting to stay in the U.S. ever since. Sin País begins two weeks before Sam and Elida are deported and the family is ripped apart. With intimate access and striking imagery, this short film explores the complexities of the Mejias’ new reality of a separated family – parents without their children, and children without their parents.