TEMPEST

(TEMPESTAD) 

Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018                     4:00 P.M.                    The Robin Theatre

For directions, please click HERE.

Genre: Documentary, Human Rights, Women, Criminal Justice, Family

ABOUT THE FILM

Tatiana Huezo/México/2016/105 min

In Spanish with English Subtitles

A poignant doc by celebrated filmmaker Tatiana Huezo, Tempestnarrates the parallel journey of two women. Mirror-like, it reflects the impact of the violence and impunity that afflict Mexico. Through their voices, we are drawn into the heart of their feelings, steeped in loss and pain, but also love, dignity, and resistance.

On a normal day on her way to work, Miriam is arrested on suspicion of human trafficking. While the government reports that a criminal gang has been rounded up, in reality a group of innocent Mexicans has fallen victim to the vagaries of a corrupt system. After her detention, she is handed over to a private prison controlled by the Organized Crime, where she is forced to pay a monthly fee to remain alive.

Adela works as a clown in a traveling circus. Ten years ago, her life was irreversibly transformed; every night during the show, she evokes her missing daughter, Monica. Tempest has screened at more than 60 film festivals worldwide, collecting awards in Berlin, Lima, Havana, Madrid, Cork, and many others.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

AS I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY

Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018                   7:00 P.M.                  The Robin Theatre

Director in Attendance

For directions, please click HERE.

 Genre: Documentary, Music, Tex-Mex, History

ABOUT THE FILM

Charlie Vela & Ronnie Garza/United States/2017/81 min

As I Walk Through The Valley documents 40 years of musical history and Mexican-American culture. It is the first comprehensive look at rock music in the Rio Grande Valley. The film is an oral history of the popular music of The Valley told by the musicians, promoters, producers, and scenesters who lived it. The Rio Grande Valley has been called a flashpoint for the creation of Mexican-American Culture in the United States. Roughly 230 miles south of San Antonio, the river delta known as The Valley is a network of cities and roads that sits at the southernmost border between the United States and Mexico. Combining over 100 hours of interviews as well as never-before-seen archival footage and photographs, this documentary tracks the musical evolution of a region that has forged its own unique identity between two countries.

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS

Directors in attendance

Directors Charlie Vela & Ronnie Garza are first-time feature filmmakers. They both grew up in the RGV punk scene of the late-90’s/early-00’s and were informed by its strong sense of community and fiercely DIY ethic. In 2014, they decided to take on the challenge of documenting the history of the scene that helped shape them as artists as it was clear that there was little outside intrest in doing so. Without formal training, a crew, or funding they began production, learning along the way, and in 2017 As I Walk Through The Valley premiered at SXSW International Film Festival. It is our hope to amplify stories and narratives about the region that highlight the beauty, creativity, and ingenuity of the people who live in the RGV and foster a shared sense of history. Which in a time when cultures are denigrated and maligned, can be a rebellious and revolutionary act.

Charlie has spent the last 15 years as a record producer, musician, and studio owner in the RGV documenting local music and performing.

Ronnie is an experimental musician (Winter Texan) and democracy activist, and working in video-journalism related to activism in Austin and The RGV.

A 30 minute Q&A with the directors will follow the screening hosted by John Valadez (Film Studies).