Overlooked Latinx Heroes Who Deserve a Feature Film
Several online articles have offered suggestions on classic TV shows and films that should be remade with an all Latinx cast. To be sure there are many TV shows and films that would be worthy candidates. Who would not love to see Sanford & Son rebooted as Santiago & Son with Paul Rodriguez (Chateau Vato) and Michael Peña (Fantasy Island), or Dr. Zhivago Latinized as Dr. Chicano with Diego Luna (Open Range).
How cool would it be to see a re-tooled version of The Mary Tyler Moore Show with America Ferrera (Ugly Betty) tossing her brown beret up in the air during the opening credits?
But why rely on reboots, remakes, retreads or reruns? Here are three authentic real-life Latinx heroes whose stories belong on the big screen.
Jovita Idár: A Latina for all Seasons
Born in Laredo, Texas in 1885, Jovita Idár was a Latina teacher, journalist, political activist and civil rights worker. Against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution (1910 — 1920), Idár worked, wrote, and advocated for the civil rights of Mexican-Americans and Mexican immigrants in Texas.
In 1914 Idár wrote a scathing editorial of President Wilson for sending US Army troops to the Mexico/United States border. Idár incurred the wrath of the Army and the Texas Rangers. When the Texas Rangers showed up at her office itching to bust up the place, Idár defiantly blocked the entrance and stood her ground.
Maria Hinojosa, of Latino USA on National Public Radio, cited Jovita Idár as the role model for all Latina journalists.
The Bushmasters: World War II Jungle Fighters
The Arizona National Guard, which was comprised mainly of Mexican-Americans and Native-Americans was sent down to Panama to train as jungle fighters during World
War II. They acquired the nickname, “Bushmasters”, after exhibiting their skills at killing the giant, poisonous viper, the Bushmaster, with their machetes.
As a fighting unit, the Bushmasters saw brutal combat action in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. They were poised for the invasion of Japan but mercifully the War in the Pacific came to an end with the dropping of atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
General Douglas MacArthur called the Bushmasters “the greatest fighting unit in the Pacific.” But somehow, no Hollywood war movie has ever been made about the Bushmasters.
Maria Moreno: A Poetic Voice for Farm Labor Rights
It was the chance discovery of a remarkable collection of photos by George Ballis documenting the life and work of Maria Moreno that led filmmaker, Laurie Coyle, to make her highly acclaimed film, Adios, Amor—The Search for Maria Moreno.
Moreno was born into a Mexican-American migrant farmworker family. Despite only having a 2nd-grade education, Moreno became a powerful voice in the struggle for the rights of farmworkers.
Thanks to the discovery of some lost recordings of Moreno speaking truth to power at various conferences, we also have audio evidence of her passionate, simple, eloquent poetic oratory. What makes Moreno’s story even more significant is her efforts to secure farm labor rights predate those of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta.
Had it not been for Coyle’s Adios, Amor—The Search for Maria Moreno, her story might have never seen the light of day. Moreno’s story should have a larger audience as a major feature film.
Lights, Camera, Action
Remaking classic movies and TV shows with all Latinx casts is a great trend. But it would be wonderful if Latino Hollywood with all its creative firepower could begin telling original stories about our authentic, but often overlooked Latinx heroes.
Featured Photo Credits: (L-R) Maria Moreno (George Ballis), Guadalupe “Lupe” Lopez (2nd Lt. Wes Parrell), Jovita Idár (General Photograph Collection/UTSA Libraries Special Collections)