EXCLUSIVE

It’s been 50 years in the making and Academy Award-nominated Edward James Olmos has just signed on as Executive Producer for the Ugly Little Monkeys, a documentary based on the true story of the original Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson, pioneers of the youth mariachi movement in the US. The good news comes as the Seed & Spark crowdfunding campaign passes its halfway mark to reaching its fundraising goal of $50K.  ULM Productions has already raised $28K since it launched on June 21, 2021.

“I’m extremely proud to be a part of this project and helping to tell such an important story. It’s time everyone learns about the original Los Changuitos Feos and their contribution to the Mexican-American experience in this country,” said Olmos.

The Ugly Little Monkeys feature documentary tells the story of Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson, the first youth mariachi group in the U.S. founded in 1964 by Irish Catholic priest Father Charles Rourke. The name, Los Changuitos Feos de Tucson, chosen by Father Rourke, although controversial, still remains after 50 plus years, and generations of Changuitos later, and achieved national recognition following performances at presidential inaugurations for Nixon and Ford. The group eventually rose to international fame. Despite all their success, there was a deep, dark secret that would destroy anyone. However, their faith and support for each other helped these young men overcome the pain they suffered at the hands of their spiritual and musical leader. Their will to rise above it led them to become successful men, musicians, and community leaders.

“We are thrilled to welcome Edward to the ULM Productions team,” said David Valdez, Ugly Little Monkeys Executive Producer. “He is a valuable asset to our team, assisting in tapping into all the resources available to us as independent filmmakers.”

Olmos’ career in entertainment spans over 50 years of working in the business. In that time, he created a signature style and aesthetic that he applies to every artist endeavor, often grounding his characters in reality and gravitas. His dedication to his craft has brought him attention across the industry and with audiences worldwide.

Fundraising efforts to complete production on the film are on track and continue to grow momentum as supporters look for opportunities to get involved with the project.  However, the project still needs community support to reach the finish line. While the crowdfunding campaign offers some enticing incentives for donors, there will also be some FUNdraising events both online and live, like a benefit Happy Hour that will allow fans to gather safely for a Meet & Greet with original Changuitos Feos in Tucson. A benefit concert is also in the works with producers eager to reveal details once the final talent line-up is confirmed.

The story behind the film, Ugly Little Monkeys, is five decades in the making, inspired by the book, Bless Me Father For You Have Sinned, written by original group member Wilfred Arvizu. The team behind the project, led by Valdez and Producer/Co-Director/Writer Enrique Castillo, wanted to share the Changuitos story in their documentary

All the latest information on these events and the crowdfunding campaign, and to donate visit: www.uglylittlemonkeys.com

The post Edward James Olmos Boards as Executive Producer on ‘Ugly Little Monkeys’ Doc first appeared on .

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)

The post ‘Ugly Little Monkeys” Doc About Trailblazing Youth Mariachi Group first appeared on .