Chicano playwright Luis Valdez, who also penned the screenplay for his 1979 Broadway debut, made history as the first Mexican American to direct a major Hollywood film. Zoot Suit recounts the true story of the 1942 Los Angeles Sleepy Lagoon murder case that triggered the notorious Zoot Suit Riots of 1943. Valdez infuses the narrative with theatrical flair, music, and stylized storytelling. PCFF 2023 guest Edward James Olmos stars as El Pachuco, the alter ego of protagonist Henry Reyna, symbolizing identity, resistance, and Chicano pride. The film also features El Paso native Lupe Ontiveros as Henry’s mother. Mr. Valdez will join us for a special pre-show interview on the film’s creation. — Jaime Mendez
Buy Tickets Online
