LA BATALLA: Excitement was in the air for the 450 attendees who came for the viewing of the historical epic “Cinco de Mayo-La Batalla” [May 5th-- The Battle]. The Opening Night Gala of 29th Chicago Latino Film Festival, a Tribute to Mexico, was Thursday, April 11, 2013 at the AMC Loews Theater downtown Chicago.
THE INTERNATIONAL Latino Cultural Center of Chicago hosted the Latino Film Festival’s featured film, “Cinco de Mayo--La Batalla”. Before the movie was shown, Pepe Vargas, founder of the Latino Film Festival, took the stage and introduced the director of the film Rafa Lara who shared the inspiration behind his breathtaking historical epic. Afterwards Lara introduced Kuno Becker the actor who played Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza and J. C. Montes Roldan the French actor who portrayed the French General.
ON MAY 5th, 1862, a few thousand Mexican soldiers put their lives on the line against the world’s largest and most powerful army in one legendary battle for freedom for México. Cinco de Mayo: La Batalla chronicles the story of Mexico’s Battle of Puebla, the most important battle in Mexico’s history. When the unbeatable French army invades Mexico to set up a monarchy, General Ignacio Zaragoza must defend the city of Puebla, commanding a poorly armed and outnumbered troop of men.
THIS EPIC movie depicts the celebration of a victory by an inexperienced Mexican army defeating Napoleon III’s invading French forces. In the movie, a young Mexican solider finds love in the chaos of war. The Cinco de Mayo battle scene in the movie lasted 25 minutes; a fierce and bloody battle. The bravery of the Mexican soldiers and peasants is pushed to the limit, fighting for their nation, their families and their pride. Cast: Kuno Becker, Angelica Aragon, William Miller, Liz Gallardo and Christian Vazquez.
AFTER THE MOVIE, a reception was held at the River East Arts Center. Chicago Consul General of Mexico Eduardo Arnal Palomera and Alderman George Cardenas [12th Ward] were in attendance. Cardenas was the only elected Chicago official at the gala. I give "Cinco de Mayo – La Batalla" 3 stars.
GOLDMAN PRIZE: Kimberly Wasserman, Executive Director of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization [LVEJO], 2856 S. Millard Ave., Chicago is the recipient of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize. It is for her leadership in protecting the environment in her neighborhood.
KIM, the USA winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize is one of six international prize winners. The other 2013 prize recipients are from Colombia, Indonesia, Iraq, Italy and South Africa, for their achievements in marshland restoration, solid waste management, fighting fracking and marble mining.
UNDER WASSERMAN’S leadership, LVEJO led local residents in a successful campaign to shut down two of the country’s oldest and dirtiest coal plants — and is now transforming Chicago’s old industrial sites into parks and multi-use spaces.
EXECUTIVE Director Kim lives and works in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago where she grew up. She became a community activist through the example of her parents who were involved in social activism and in the awareness of social justice issues. Kim loved spending time outdoors and witnessed the systematic destruction of the environment happening in and around the Pilsen and Little Village communities on the southwest side of Chicago. Destruction of the environment led her to a career in the environmental field.
WASSERMAN began as a volunteer, then as a part time LVEJO organizer, and as a full time LVEJO coordinator before becoming the Executive Director. As Executive Director Wasserman is responsible for coordinating all LVEJO campaigns. Her three children are active members in the LVEJO organization, taking advantage of the flexibility of the organization and to allow and encourage parents to bring their children to work in organizing campaigns.
KIM WASSERMAN has been able to empower community members. However, not all LVEJO campaigns have been as successful as she would have liked. She cites this as the most difficult aspect of her job.
OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO KIM WASSERMAN AND LVEJO!
CITY SERVICE: City Clerk Susanna Mendoza’s staff will be doing free Kid’s ID and Senior Medical ID cards at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St., on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. No appointment necessary.
TROOP 306: St. Agnes Church Boy Scouts Troop 306 is sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast [Desayuno de panckakes] from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 21, 2013 in the School Social Room, 2643 S. Central Park Ave. All the pancakes you can eat, includes sausage, juice, coffee or milk. Tickets are available at the door. Donation: $5.
SUPPORT our scouts and help them go to Summer Camp in July 2013. Nuestros boy scouts estaran recaudando fondos para poder ir a su campamento de verano en julio de 2013.