Las Movies – The Films of Efraín Gutiérrez
The 17th Cine Las Americas International Film Festival honors the life and work of a pioneer of Mexican American cinema in Texas with this special presentation of the films of Efraín Gutiérrez, with the director in attendance.
Raised on San Antonio’s West Side, Efraín Gutierrez is a political activist, director and actor in theater and film. During the 1970s he directed and starred in the three feature-length films considered by many to be the first independent Chicano feature-length films made in Texas. The films broke the Mexico City monopoly in Texas Spanish language theaters, while outselling Hollywood blockbusters as Gutierrez travelled the state showing his films. After a two-decade hiatus Gutierrez made the 2000 feature film A LOWRIDER SPRING BREAK EN SAN QUILMAS, and the children’s film BARRIO TALES: TOPS, KITES AND MARBLES in 2008.
Cine Las Americas is fortunate to continue reviving the tradition of local Latino and indigenous cinema in Texas, following our mission to educate, entertain and challenge diverse audiences. The unsung story of the success of Efraín Gutiérrez’s early films is a lesson for Latino and indigenous filmmakers working today in Texas and beyond.
All films presented at the Marchesa Theatre in 35mm restored prints courtesy of the UCLA Film and Television Archive.
Wednesday, April 23 – 4 PM |
Thursday, April 24 – 4 PM |
Saturday, April 26, – 4 PM |
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Please Don’t Bury Me Alive!¡Por favor no me entierren vivo!1976, 81 min, Drama Director in attendance |
Chicano Love Is ForeverAmor chicano es para siempre1976, 101 min. Drama Director in attendance |
Run, Tecato, Run1979, 86 min. Drama Opening with the documentary short La Onda Chicana (1976)followed by a conversation with |