Released in 2014, the film stars Michael Pena as Chavez himself, and he excellently portrays the charisma and conviction of the activist who led the fight against powerful agribusiness corporations that exploited farm workers through low wages, no benefits, and hazardous working conditions. The movie places Chavez and his family at the center of the story and introduces viewers to his roots as a migrant farmworker in Arizona.
The cinematography in the film is rich, with stunning shots of the vast, golden fields, where the agricultural revolution took place. The dry, desolate surroundings in which the farmworkers lived and worked creates a feeling of desperation and hopelessness, which motivated Chavez to fight for his people’s rights. The soundtrack also captures the spirit of the time, with songs that were integral to the Mexican American community’s struggle for civil rights.
The film highlights the Mexican culture’s importance in shaping Chavez’s philosophy of non-violent civil disobedience. This concept of peaceful resistance was borrowed from Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., whose work and philosophy had a significant impact on Chavez. The film illustrates how important it was for Chavez to create a sense of community among the farmworkers and instill in them the importance of unity to realize their demands.
The film’s power lies in the way it chronicles Chavez’s successes and failures, outlining the challenges he faced in growing the United Farm Workers Union (UFW) while juggling personal responsibilities. It shows how Chavez put his family and friends at risk to defend his belief in equality and fairness for all farmworkers. The film’s most poignant moments depict Chavez’s hunger strikes protesting farmworkers’ mistreatment, putting his life in danger to bring attention to the cause.
Through Chavez’s life and work, the film portrays how issues relating to ethnic and racial minorities intersect with issues of labor exploitation, citizenship, and human rights. It also highlights the long and complex history of workers’ struggles, the victories won, and the continuous battles still to be fought. The film’s message is clear. Workers’ rights are human rights, and the struggle for justice and equality continues today.
Cesar Chavez’s biopic was a success in storytelling, capturing the audience’s imagination and inspiring them to explore the issues further. The film’s message continues to resonate across the spectrum of class and race in contemporary politics, where income inequality is a growing concern, and workers’ rights are under threat. Therefore, it’s essential to continue developing narratives through films like Cesar Chavez’s to educate and inspire the younger generation about the long history of workers’ struggles, and the need to fight against capitalism and inequality.
In conclusion, Cesar Chavez is an inspirational film that celebrates the life of a man who dedicated his life fighting for the rights of farmworkers. The biopic not only portrays the power of unity and how activism can bring about change but highlights the value of peaceful resistance as an effective tool for social and political transformation. The film’s importance goes beyond merely educating viewers about Chavez’s life and struggles. It also encourages minorities to stand up and fight for their rights in all spheres of life- because the struggle continues, and this biopic serves as a timely reminder that our voices may be the tools needed to instigate change.