Plaza de la Raza, a Los Angeles mainstay cultural arts center in Lincoln Heights will be the benefactor of a special community screening of the acclaimed documentary, Ugly Little Monkeys: A True American Story, taking place on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM at Plaza de la Raza’s Margot Albert Theater, located at 3540 N Mission Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90031.

Ugly Little Monkeys: A True American Story, co-directed by David E. Valdez and Enrique Castillo and executive produced by Edward James Olmos, Marcia Grand, and Justin Krienbrink, delves into the compelling saga of Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson, the original youth Mariachi group in the U.S. Established in 1964 by an Irish priest. This trailblazing ensemble that in spite of overcoming tremendous challenges rose to international acclaim, newfound celebrity, all shaping its members into prominent musicians and future leaders.

“I’ve done several stage productions at Plaza de La Raza, and I’m thrilled that our documentary film Ugly Little Monkeys: A True American Story is screening at Plaza’s Margot Albert Theater. “I’m especially pleased that the screening will benefit Plaza’s arts education programs, particularly its youth Mariachi program,” stated Enrique Castillo, Co-Director of the documentary.

Maria Jimenez-Torres, Executive Director of Plaza de la Raza, expressed the importance of the screening, stating, “This film will surely inspire, educate and uplift. We are deeply thankful to Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson and the Ugly Little Monkeys filmmakers for their support and collaboration in hosting this benefit screening. Their commitment to using music and film as a catalyst for positive change mirrors our own mission of fostering cultural enrichment and community empowerment.”

The evening will commence with a reception at 5:30 PM featuring a performance by the Plaza de la Raza Youth Mariachi Ensemble. The reception will include a delightful array of Mexican antojitos catered by El Comal Fresh & Authentic Tortilla Products. Following the reception, attendees will enjoy the film screening and have the unique opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with co-directors David E. Valdez and Enrique Castillo, as well as an original member of Los Changuitos Feos, the pioneering youth mariachi group which the documentary highlights.

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In the 1960s a youth mariachi group started a movement credited with taking the Mexican music genre to a new level of popularity in the United States and which can still be felt today. A crowdfunding campaign is now raising money for a documentary film about Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson and a dark secret that almost destroyed the lives of the band’s children at the hands of a Catholic priest.

Five decades in the making, Ugly Little Monkeys is based on the book Bless Me Father for You Have Sinned, written by original musical group member Wilfred Arvizu. The author self-published the book in 2014 on the group’s 50th anniversary detailing the sexual abuse that Father Charles Rourke subjected the members of the band for years before he was removed in 1969. 

Ugly Little Monkeys is executive produced by David E. Valdez (Rita of the Sky) which he also co-directs with award-winning actor Enrique Castillo (Weeds, Blood In Blood Out) who is also producing. Former-CNN journalist Thelma Don Gutiérrez is writer/producer and associate producer Tina Huerta.

Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson are considered the first youth mariachi group in the U.S. The band’s name was chosen by Father Rourke and, although controversial, remains after 50 plus years and achieved national recognition following performances at the inaugurations for Presidents Nixon and Ford. The group eventually rose to international fame. But the ugly and traumatic secret of abuse by the alcoholic priest weighed heavily on the lives of band members way into their adulthood.  Throughout the years of music, and the magic they created they were able to surpass the pain and triumph.

However, according to the doc’s filmmakers, the mariachi members’ faith and faith in each other helped the young men overcome the pain they suffered at the hands of their spiritual and musical leader. Some rose above it all and became successful men, musicians, and community leaders. Three of the “Changos”, Randy & Steve Carillo, and Mac Ruiz went on to found Mariachi Cobre which has played for over 37 years at Epcot Center in Disneyworld in Orlando. Jerry Gay grew went on to become an engineer working at Lockheed Martin who gave him the opportunity to help design, build, and launch the NASA Hubble Space Telescope. Gilbert Velez, among other things, became the highest-ranking 9^th degree Black Belt in the world under the IKKA Organization and also became a world-class martial artist.

Making the documentary is personal for Valdez. “We just knew we had to tell this story the only way we knew how,” he says. His father, Joel Valdez was one of the founding Los Changuitos Feos board members. “What started off as a biopic concept turned into a documentary after interviewing several original members of the group as part of our initial research for the film.” The group earned international acclaim, according to Valdez, its success sets off the world-renowned Mariachi Youth Movement that still thrives today.

Castillo says he understands how the youth mariachi became a trailblazer. “After having met many of the early members of Los Changuitos Feos, it’s easy to see how the group became so successful,” he recalls. “They’re dedicated individuals who inspire with their accomplishments even after having left the group. It has also been a real pleasure seeing them be totally supportive of each other and watching them joyously interacting and cavorting as they did when they were young.”

The filmmakers aim at raising the final monies for the project which is already 50 percent complete and features interviews with legendary singer Linda Ronstadt, a Tucson native. The goal is to raise $50,000 via the crowdfunding platform Seed & Spark. “We have some great incentives for our supporters who donate at least $25 or more,” says Huerta, the co-writer who also serves as associate producer. “We need support so that we may continue to tell these stories that educate, inspire and share our beautiful culture and musical legacy.”

For Don Gutierrez, the mariachi’s story is close to her heart. “This project is very important to me, especially because I was born and raised in Tucson, where Los Changuitos were our hometown heroes,” she says. “It’s time their story was told.”

Those interested in donating can visit: www.seedandspark.com/fund/ugly-little-monkeys-los-changuitos-feos-de-tucson.

Featured Photo: ‘Ugly Little Monkeys’ filmmaker David E. Valdez (Credit: Courtesy)

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