Kicking off the series on April 17 is Hector Galán’s “Children of Giant.” Sixty years after production began on George Stevens’ classic Giant, this new documentary returns to Marfa, Texas to explore how the groundbreaking film both reflected and transformed the lives of the town’s Anglo and Mexican-American residents. “Now en Español” (April 24) explores the ups and downs of being a Latina actress in Hollywood through the lives of the five women who dub “Desperate Housewives" into Spanish for American audiences — and whose real lives are often as dramatic and desperate as those of their onscreen counterparts. “El Poeta” (May 1) is a powerful and poignant profile of the renowned Mexican poet Javier Sicilia who ignited an international movement for peace after the brutal killing of his 24-year old son – collateral damage in a drug war that has left more than 100,000 dead or missing since 2006.
”The films in the new season of VOCES explore the ever-evolving relationship between Latino culture and the larger fabric of American society, from a classic movie set in remote Texas to modern day Hollywood to the frontlines of the drug war,” said LPB Executive Director and VOCES executive producer Sandie Viquez Pedlow. “The Latino American experience is so diverse and there are so many stories to tell. We’re delighted to play a part in bringing some of these stories to PBS through these remarkable films.”
“We’re delighted to partner once again with LPB to bring VOCES to PBS viewers,” said Donald Thoms, Vice President, General Audience Programming, PBS. “These remarkable documentaries showcase the rich mosaic of Latino culture and history, and are part of the PBS commitment to provide stories that reflect our nation’s diversity, and which contribute to greater understanding and appreciation of ourselves as Americans.”
The schedule has been updated to reflect current and upcoming air dates and is as follows:
Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 8pm and Friday, September 25, 2015 at 9am & 3pm on WORLD
“Children of Giant”
Producer/Director: Hector Galán
In the summer of 1955, it seemed as if all of Hollywood had descended on the dusty West Texas town of Marfa as production began on the highly anticipated movie Giant, starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and James Dean. Based on Edna Ferber’s novel about three generations of a powerful ranching dynasty, Giant took an unflinching look at feminism and class divisions and was one of the first films to explore the racial divide between Anglos and Mexican Americans in the Southwest. Now, 60 years later, “Children of Giant” goes back to Marfa. The film combines interviews with the cast and crew of Giant with the recollections of residents who participated in and witnessed the making of the film, many of whose lives mirrored the controversial themes of the film.
Friday, September 25, 2015 at 8pm and Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 9am & 3pm
“Now en Español”
Producer/Director: Andrea Meller
A fascinating look at a rarely seen side of Hollywood, “Now en Español” follows the trials and travails of five hard-working Latina actresses who dub “Desperate Housewives” for Spanish language audiences in the U.S. With real lives that are often as dramatic and desperate as those of their onscreen counterparts, the five dynamic women featured struggle to pursue their Hollywood dreams while balancing the responsibilities of paying rent and raising children. The film chronicles their lives as they audition for parts and work in the dubbing studio while striving for a career that offers more prominent — and on-screen roles.
Friday, September 25, 2015 at 9pm and Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 10am & 4pm
“El Poeta”
Producers/Directors: Katie Galloway and Kelly Duane de la Vega
Both heartbreaking and inspiring, “El Poeta” tells the story of renowned Mexican poet Javier Sicilia, who ignited mass protests and an ongoing international movement for peace after the brutal killing of his 24-year-old son Juan Francisco – collateral damage in a drug war that has left more than 100,000 dead or missing since 2006. Filmed over the course of three years, the film follows the journey of Sicilia and his movement as they make their way from Mexico’s most embattled cities – Juarez, Chihuahua, Durango and others – to the U.S., urging American citizens and lawmakers to share in the responsibility for the violence. “El Poeta” transforms the hard news story of drugs, murder, and corruption into a deeply personal examination of the impact of the ultimate loss on the human psyche – as well as the power of righteous protest.
