ABOUT THE FILM

LOGLINE

Against political resistance and industry skepticism, Luis Valdez pushes Chicano storytelling from the fields to the film screen with Zoot Suit and La Bamba, crafting iconic works that challenge, celebrate, and expand America’s story.

LONG SYNOPSIS

An auteur emerges from America’s underclass: from migrant farmworker to revolutionary artist, Luis Valdez changed American culture. In the 1960s, his El Teatro Campesino performed on flatbed trucks and helped mobilize workers to win the first farmworker union contract. His “Zoot Suit” was the first Chicano play on Broadway. Despite critical rejection that killed the show, he persevered, creating “La Bamba”—a breakout blockbuster that authentically depicted Mexican-American life to the world. Now in its 60th year, El Teatro continues to be a beacon for Latino/a creators. This is the story of an artist who gave voice to the overlooked and opened pathways for generations.

Read director David Alvarado’s December 15, 2025 Time Magazine article, “Who Looks Like They Belong in America?”.

Writer & Director David Alvarado

Producers David Alvarado, Lauren DeFilippo, Everett Katigbak, Amanda Pollak

Executive Producers Stephen Ives, Michael Kantor, Loira Limbal, Carrie Lozano, Stanley Nelson, Marcia Smith, Sandie Viquez Pedlow

Editor Daniel Chávez-Ontiveros

Cinematographer Zachary Fink

Sound Peter Albrechtsen, MPSE

Music Eduardo Arenas

Cast Luis Valdez, Lupe Trujillo-Valdez, Edward James Olmos, Cheech Marin, Lou Diamond Phillips, Dolores Huerta, Linda Ronstadt, Jorge A. Huerta, Luis C. Garza, Taylor Hackford, Rose Portillo, Sal Lopez, Phil Esparza, Socorro Valdez, Daniel Valdez

FESTIVALS
2026: Sundance (World Premiere)

AWARDS
Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film—2025 Winner

AVAILABLE TERRITORIES
The World

EXHIBITION FORMATS
DCP, Digital Download