Director Diego Luna is presenting an outdoor premiere of “Cesar Chavez” for farm workers at the Forty Acres site outside Delano, Calif., where Chavez started the United Farm Workers union in the 1960s.
The English-language film, which opens Friday through Pantelion, will be shown on a large screen erected in front of the building hosting Chavez’s former offices and the union hall where grape growers signed their first UFW contracts in 1970.
America Ferrera (who portrays Helen Chavez), UFW President Arturo Rodriguez and Chavez’ son Paul Chavez are expected to attend.
The Tuesday event is expected to draw more than 1,000 attendees, mostly Latino farm workers. Luna is sponsoring the premiere along with the Cesar Chavez Foundation and the UFW.
Residents of housing communities managed by the foundation in Delano and Shafter and students receiving tutoring through the foundation have been invited to the event.
The Los Angeles premiere was held on March 20.
“Cesar Chavez,” produced by Mexico’s Canana Films and co-financed by Participant Media, stars Michael Pena.
