Cultura: LA's Latino International Film Fest Talks SB 1070

By Michael Lopez

If you attended screenings at year’s Latino International Film Festival (LIFF) in Los Angeles, you’ll notice they all seemed to have one thing in common: powerful messages. And none is more prominent this year than the immigration debate, particularly about what’s going on in Arizona.

In fact, the topic was so prominent that the organizers held a panel to discuss it on August 24. A Dialogue on Immigration Issues: We Are America/Nosotros Somos America was the centerpiece of the film festival and Team Blogamole was right there in the front row!

Presented in by the UCLA Latin America Institute and moderated by one of our favorite Latinos, Lalo Alcaraz, the panel featured 6 notable speakers ranging from activists, to attorneys, to LIFF filmmakers. Each presented a unique perspective on why SB 1070 and other anti-immigration laws were a bad move.

Lalo Alcaraz at L.A.'s LIFF

Kicking off the discussion was Professor Justin Akers Chacon from San Diego Community College. Very knowledgeable on the historical angle of the issue, he dug way deeper than SB 1070, referencing anti-immigration movements from the past several decades. His solution involved, “granting people the right to legally integrate.”

Thomas Saenz, President of the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund (MALDEF) presented arguments from the legal perspective. He particularly lashed out at Arizona reps John McCain and Jan Brewer as the “Unconstitutionals” (no, that’s not the same title as the Sylvester Stallone movie).

Several filmmakers contributed as well, including Sebastian Cordero, the director of “Rabia” and Mexico’s Esau Melendez who helmed “Immigrant Nation”. But the panelist who got the most attention was Dolores Huerta.

Dolores Huerta at L.A.'s LIFF

An original co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America, she recently celebrated her 80th birthday and is still as passionate as ever. Going beyond Arizona, Dolores said, “immigration is a global issue that impacts everyone.”

After the speakers finished, guests were able to view a short video about a recent immigration march on Washington that really hammered the point home. Of course the night wasn’t completely stone cold serious, Lalo interjected many jokes and interactions from the audience always kept things interesting.

Overall, it was a powerful message that brought a standing ovation from many in the crowd. Educated and articulate, we think this group would make a great addition to Zack de la Rocha’s Sound Strike concert. Maybe we’ll slip them in somewhere after Rage Against the Machine.

What are thoughts about the immigration debate? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3!

Tags arizona, Cultura, Dolores Huerta, Immigration, Lalo Alacaraz, Latino International Film Festival, LIFF, Politics, SB 1070