One of the highlights of this weekend's National Association of Independent Producer's conference (a high point, of course, rivaling the sight of a famous director -- who shall remain unnamed -- doing the Worm on the dance floor) was the inspiring speech filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez delivered at the Friday luncheon.
Well, at least I was told it was one of the highlights. I arrived late to the conference on that Friday afternoon, and my only viewing of the great Luis Valdez was watching the director of the classic film La Bamba carrying his luggage out of the hotel. And for those of you wondering, I can safely report the vato tipped the valets well so my high esteem of the Chicano icon remains high. Even more impressive? The valets were all white dudes. It was that fancy a hotel. You don't seen that demographic represented amongst the usual raza-filled occupation.
But I digress. Back to the speech. NALIP has uploaded an mp3 of the Luiz Valdez here. Historical. Inspirational. Political. It is very badass.
Included above is part I of Valdez' first film, I Am Joaquin (1969), based on the poem by Corky Gonzales.
Comments