That statesman of U.S. cinema and the original "pachuco," Edward James Olmos, appeared in Mexico City last week for the opening of the capital's first Chicano film festival. A bunch of the local dailies covered his arrival, which made news because Olmos announced he (also!) recently acquired Mexican citizenship. The actor told La Jornada:
Finally I am Chicano and Mexican [...] I had to convince them that my father, my grandparents, and my great-grandparents were Mexican, and also that I'm a descendent of the Flores Magon [brothers].
The name is well-known in Mexico. Ricardo and Enrique Flores Magon are the most significant anarchist thinkers in this country's history; their writings greatly influenced the Mexican Revolution, even while the brothers were in exile in the United States. During his visit here, Olmos revealed that Ricardo Flores Magon was his "tio abuelo." It's now that much easier to understand Olmos's reputation as an outspoken advocate on social justice issues.
The festival's page lists the films and filmmakers involved. Award winners were announced today. They included Sergio Castilla for "Take the Bridge," Orianna Zill de Granados for "Our Family," and Sonia Fritz for "The American Dream." In addition, filmmaker Robert M. Young received a special citation.
Links: La Jornada, El Universal, and Scott Foundas in LA Weekly. Previously, "Haz Patria: Hernandez becomes a Mexican, for reals."
* Image above, Olmos in the UCLA Digital Library.