Producers share untold story of Latino triumphs, sacrifices

Thompson-Marquez and Eduardo López were the producers behind the documentary “Harvest of Empire: The Untold Story of Latinos in America.” The film is based on the book by award-winning journalist Juan González. It takes an unflinching look at the role that the U.S. economic and military interests played in triggering an unprecedented wave of migration that is transforming our nation’s cultural an economic landscape.

“It really has been a labor of love for all of us involved,” Thompson-Marquez says. “We filmed in Mexico and all over the United States. Many of the places, like the Southwest, were home to the people that we wanted to focus on in the film.”

	If you go WHAT: “Harvest of Empire: The Untold Story of Latinos in America” WHEN: 3:30, 6, 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, Saturday, March 2 and March 3 WHERE: Guild Cinema, 3405 E. Central HOW MUCH: $8 general admission, $5 seniors, students, kids 12 and under Journalist and narrator of the film Juan González and producer Wendy Thompson-Marquez will speak before and after the 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2 screening

The film will screen at the Guild Cinema Friday, March 1 and through March 3.

Thompson-Marquez says the film provides a rare and powerful glimpse into the enormous sacrifices and rarely noted triumphs of our nation’s growing Latino community.

She says the film features present-day immigrant stories and rarely seen archival material, as well as interviews with such respected figures as Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Junot Díaz, Mexican historian Lorenzo Meyer, journalists Maria Hinojosa and Geraldo Rivera, Grammy award-winning singer Luis Enrique and poet Martín Espada.

“Many of the subjects that we were able to get really surprised us,” she explains. “I think that because the film took us a while to make, we were able to get more interviews that made the film stronger.”

López says the 2010 Census recorded a spike in the number of Latinos in America. Not only did the number reach the 50 million mark years ahead of expectations, but Latinos accounted for an astounding 56 percent of the total population growth in the United States since 2000.

“The emerging Latino presence in the U.S. has not been universally welcomed,” López says. “A growing anti-immigrant movement has succeeded in polarizing communities across the country, tapping into fears about economic uncertainty and demographic.”

It took seven years to complete “Harvest of Empire,” which takes a look at U.S. immigration.

López says being Latino himself, he felt compelled to take action and be a part of the project.

He says the film focuses on seven countries located in the Latin American regions closest to the United States.

“Here, we see the true origins of massive migrations from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Nicaragua,” Lopez explains.

Thompson-Marquez says she and Lopez acquired the rights to González’s book in 2005 and have been on the journey since.

The film opened in Los Angeles and New York in late fall to some surprising results.

“With working on a film, you are so close to it that you want it to be as perfect as it can be,” she says. “With this one, we decided there was a stopping point and it was then left in the audience’s hand. We were surprised about the dialogue that it created.”

Thompson-Marquez says one of the most difficult parts of making the film came during editing. Because González’s book is chock-full of facts and information, it became a task to get it done.

“We had to fit all of the information into 90 minutes of film,” she says. “We’ve been looking into using what didn’t make the film and putting it into a series for TV. We have enough for it but we need to get the funding.”

Thompson-Marquez while the main goal is to start a dialogue, it’s also a history lesson.

“There are young Latinos who live in this country and they aren’t aware of their history,” she says. “This is a part of history that is not generally taught in schools. Many university students who have seen this film are touched and inspired to further look into their history. It gives them a sense of pride to see how far their families have come to live in this country and make a new life.”

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.