New documentary film “Under the Bridge” launched on the free, ad-supported Hulu and the Hulu Plus subscription service for Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Under the Bridge” tells the story of San Diego’s Chicano Park. In 1970, the residents of Barrio Logan protested the building of a Highway Patrol Substation in their neighborhood. They had been promised a park on that land, under the bridge. Frustrated with the status quo and inspired by the Black Civil Rights movement, let down by the Church and city officials, Chicano artists, musicians, poets, students and residents joined forces to demand justice. And they got it.
Socially, economically and culturally marginalised, the community saw its victory at Chicano Park as a symbolic step in reclaiming their identity. A major part of this process was the recognition of the indigenous heritage shared by many Mexicans. This identification with an indigenous past played a major role in the cultural understanding of the ‘Chicano’ during El Movimiento of the 60s and 70s. Not afforded the ‘native’ status of other US indigenous tribes, their struggle for cultural equality continues to this day.
Speaking of the broadcast, director Mike Todd said:
“We are really pleased that Hulu is featuring this documentary. It’s great that there’s a space for films like this to be shared with a wider audience.”
“Under the Bridge” includes interviews with the likes of Chicano poet and activist, Alurista; founder of Border Angels, Enrique Morones; Chicano Park muralists, musicians and artists, Salvador Torres, Yolanda Lopez, Mario Torero, Sal Barajas, Celia Rodriguez, Yermo Aranda and Ramon “Chunky” Sanchez.
The film also features the contemporary story of Izcalli, a community based organization in San Diego, which uses the cultural movement that started at Chicano Park to help young Mexican-Americans find their place in the contemporary United States.
Indiewire, the leading news, information, and networking site for independent filmmakers, the industry and moviegoers alike, selected “Under the Bridge” as one of its Hispanic Heritage Month picks and says that by “exploring the marginalization of indigenous Chicano rights, the film re-frames the immigration debate in a provocative way.” http://www.indiewire.com/article/indiewire-hulu-celebrates-hispanic-heritage-month#
Watch “Under the Bridge” on hulu.com/under-the-bridge today (available in the US only)
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“Under the Bridge” will be available on Hulu and Hulu Plus beginning September 2012.
Hispanic Heritage Month runs from 15 September to 15 October
